What is the relationship between biostratigraphy and absolute dating?
A)If the index fossil is found in unambiguously dated contexts in the same region,absolute dating methods can make the index fossil's use more accurate.
B)Biostratigraphy is only used on sites where layers have already been dated with absolute radiometric techniques.
C)Biostratigraphy always follows and is used to calibrate absolute dating methods.
D)They are often used together because bone is limited to biostratigraphic dating,while rock surrounding it is limited to absolute dating.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Biostratigraphy involves using the presence and absence of certain index fossils to establish relative dating of rock layers. However, the ages of these layers can be further refined through absolute dating methods, such as radiometric dating. If an index fossil is found in unambiguously dated contexts in the same region, the use of absolute dating methods can make the index fossil's use more accurate. Therefore, the relationship between biostratigraphy and absolute dating is that they are often used together to establish more precise chronologies. Option B is incorrect because biostratigraphy can also be used to establish the relative age of layers that have not been dated absolutely. Option C is incorrect because absolute dating methods can be used independently of biostratigraphy. Option D is incorrect because biostratigraphy can be used on both bone and rock layers, and different forms of absolute dating can also be applied to both.

What Is the Relationship Between Biostratigraphy and Absolute Dating