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Multiple Choice
What are the fossils called that help scientists to identify or date rocks or fossils?
A
Mold fossils
B
Index fossils
C
Trace fossils
D
Cast fossils
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of index fossils: Index fossils are fossils of organisms that lived during a relatively short geological time span and are found in multiple locations. They are used by scientists to identify and date the layers of rock in which they are found.
Recognize the characteristics of index fossils: These fossils must be widespread geographically, abundant, and limited to a short span of geological time to be useful for dating rocks.
Differentiate between types of fossils: Mold fossils are impressions left in the substrate, cast fossils are formed when a mold is filled with sediment, and trace fossils are indirect signs of an organism's presence, such as footprints or burrows.
Identify the role of index fossils in stratigraphy: In stratigraphy, index fossils help correlate the age of rock layers across different regions, providing a timeline for the geological history of an area.
Apply the concept: When given a set of fossils, determine which ones are index fossils by evaluating their distribution, abundance, and the time period they represent, to assist in dating the rock layers.