How do index fossils help paleontologists?

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Index fossils are fossilized remains of animals or plants which represent a specific time period in the history of Earth. Paleontologists use index fossils to help date unidentified fossils.

History

French naturalist Alcide d'Orbigny (1802-1857) first proposed the idea of correlating sediment layers containing fossils with a specific time period.

Significance

Index fossils are used by paleontologists to date newly discovered fossils. By correlating the sediment layer in which the fossil was discovered to fossils previously discovered in a similar sediment layer, paleontologists can determine the age of the fossil.

Types

Some important index fossils include the brachiopods, trilobites, ammonites and graptolites. Nanofossils are microscopic fossils, and can be used as index fossils in sea sediments.

Features

For a fossil to be considered an index fossil, it must be a common species with a large geographic distribution, and restricted to a specific time range.

Benefits

Index fossils help establish the geologic time record. They serve as benchmarks on the time scale.

Source:

University of Hawaii: Index Fossils

Enchanted Learning: Index Fossils

The Natural History Musem: Alcide d'Orbigny

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How do index fossils help paleontologists?

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