A useful index fossil must be distinctive or easily recognizable, abundant, and have a wide geographic distribution and a short range through time. Index fossils are the basis for defining boundaries in the geologic time scale and for the correlation of strata.A useful index fossil must be distinctive or easily recognizable, abundant, and have a wide geographic distribution and a short range through time. Index fossils are the basis for defining boundaries in the geologic time scale

Which fossil could be a good index fossil?

Trilobites Trilobites are good index fossils. Why are trilobite fossils useful as index fossils?

Where is an index fossil found?

Some index fossils are small or microscopic, part of the floating plankton in the world ocean. Their tiny bodies rained down all over the ocean, they can be found in all kinds of rocks.

Is an index fossil rare?

Index fossils are commonly found, widely distributed fos- sils that are limited in time span. They are used for the determination of the age of organic rocks and other fossil assemblages and also help to establish relationships be- tween rock units. Index fossils of plant origin are very rare.

What is a good example of index fossil?

There are some types of index fossils which include Ammonites, Brachiopods, Graptolites, Nanofossils and Trilobites. Ammonites: The fossil of ancient marine animals is said to be known as an ammonite index fossil. During the Mesozoic era, they were common (245 to 65 million years ago ).

What is index fossil used for?

Keyed to the relative time scale are examples of index fossils, the forms of life which existed during limited periods of geologic time and thus are used as guides to the age of the rocks in which they are preserved.

Would trilobites make good index fossils?

Because they evolved rapidly, and moulted like other arthropods, trilobites serve as excellent index fossils, enabling geologists to date the age of the rocks in which they are found. Abundance: Trilobites are very well-known, and possibly the second-most famous fossil group after the dinosaurs.

Are humans good index fossils?

Some fossils are more useful than others in establishing the age of rocks. These are called index fossils. It is possible that humans also will be good index fossils at some time in the distant future. Humans have distinct hard parts, and we often bury our dead.

In what era can the oldest fossil be found?

Paleozoic Era The oldest is the Paleozoic Era, which means “ancient life.” Fossils from the Paleozoic Era include animals and plants that are entirely extinct (e.g., trilobites) or are rare (e.g., brachiopods) in the modern world.

Why do we use index fossils instead of all fossils when trying to determine rock age?

Certain fossils, called index fossils, help geologists match rock layers. To be useful as an index fossil, a fossil must be widely distributed and represent a type of organism that existed for a brief time period. Index fossils are useful because they tell the relative ages of the rock layers in which they occur.

What are the characteristics of a good index fossil?

A useful index fossil must be distinctive or easily recognizable, abundant, and have a wide geographic distribution and a short range through time. Index fossils are the basis for defining boundaries in the geologic time scale and for the correlation of strata.

What is the difference between regular fossils and index fossils?

A fossil is any remains of ancient life. Fossils can be body fossils, which are remains of the organism itself or trace fossils, such as burrows, tracks, or other evidence of activity. Index fossils are fossils that are widespread but only existed for a short period of time.

What fossil was found during the Paleozoic Era?

Paleozoic Era Common Paleozoic fossils include trilobites and cephalopods such as squid, as well as insects and ferns. The greatest mass extinction in Earths history ended this era.

Where can most fossils be found?

sedimentary rocks Fossils are mostly found where sedimentary rocks of the right age – which for dinosaurs is the Mesozoic – are exposed. The best places are river valleys, cliffs and hillsides, and human-made exposures such as quarries and road cuttings.