Which of the following is an essential characteristic of an index fossil?
A)The fossils occur in deep- water marine sediments, but the organism actually lived in the sunlit, surface layer of the ocean.
B)The fossil ages can be determined through radiocarbon dating methods.
C)The organism lived only in specific environments such as beaches or estuaries.
D)The organism only lived for a short period of geologic time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An index fossil is a fossil of an organism that existed for only a short period of geologic time. This makes it useful for correlation and dating of rocks and sedimentary layers across different locations. Choice A is not an essential characteristic as an index fossil can come from any type of environment. Choice B is not applicable as radiocarbon dating can only be used on materials that are less than 50,000 years old. Choice C is also not an essential characteristic as an index fossil can come from any environment, not just specific ones.

Which of the Following Is an Essential Characteristic of an Index