You are a paleoanthropologist uncovering fossils in East Africa.Using a certain technique,you discover that a humanlike fossil is in a stratum between a volcanic eruption dated at 2.9 million years and another volcanic eruption whose rocks give a date of 3.6 million years.The fossil is about midway between these layers so you assign a tentative date of 3.2 to 3.3 million years to your fossil.What technique are you using?
A)Radiocarbon analysis
B)Stratigraphy
C)Dendrochronology
D)Potassium argon analysis
E)Grid system

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The technique being used is Potassium argon analysis, which is a dating method that measures the radioactive decay of potassium-40 into argon-40 in volcanic ash or tuff layers. By dating the volcanic layers above and below the fossil, an approximate age range can be determined for the fossil based on the assumed age of the layers. This method is commonly used for dating very old fossils such as those found in East Africa.

You Are a Paleoanthropologist Uncovering Fossils in East Africa