A scientist finds the same index fossil at two different locations. What can be concluded about these locations?

Question

A.
The rocks from the two areas are all metamorphic rocks.

B.
The rocks in the two areas were previously adjacent formations.

C.
The rocks in the two areas are approximately the same age.

Answer 1

C. The rocks in the two areas are approximately the same age.

Index fossils are fossils of organisms that were widespread but existed for a relatively short time period. The presence of the same index fossil at different locations generally indicates that the rocks containing these fossils were deposited during the same geological time period, suggesting that the rocks are approximately the same age.