Rock fossil layers can be used to determine the relative age time frame in which certain organisms lived. Scientists can also predict when extinctions occurred since the rock layers show that a particular organism is no longer present.
Geologic Time Scale
The geologic time scale goes back 4.6 billion years. During that time, we have used fossil records to piece together the history of life on Earth as well as other events, such as climate changes and plate movements. Studying the fossils found in different rock layers can tell us which organisms existed together and in what order they lived.
Use the drop-down menus below to explain how rock fossil records can be used.
Rock fossil layers can be used to determine the Query 1
time frame in which certain organisms lived. Scientists can also predict when Query 2
occurred since the rock layers show that a particular organism is no longer present.
1 answer
1 answer