Law of Superposition/Index Fossils

Front

What does the Law of Superposition help scientists determine?

Back

The relative age of rock layers.

Front

Which fossil is considered the oldest among these: Trilobite, Ammonite, Crinoid, Gastropod?

Back

Trilobite.

Front

According to the Law of Superposition, where are the oldest fossils found?

Back

Near the bottom of the rock layers.

Front

What is the correct order of rock layers from oldest to youngest: a, b, c, d, e?

Back

b, c, d, a, e.

Front

Which animal is the youngest in site 1: bird, ammonite, shell?

Back

Bird.

Front

Define the Law of Superposition.

Back

A geological principle stating that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

Front

What are index fossils?

Back

Fossils of organisms that were widespread but only existed for a short period, used to date rock layers.

Front

Why are index fossils important in geology?

Back

They help scientists correlate the age of rock layers across different locations.

Front

What is an example of an index fossil?

Back

Trilobite.

Front

How do scientists use the Law of Superposition in dating rocks?

Back

By examining the sequence of rock layers, scientists can determine the relative ages of the layers.