An index fossil, such as the Irish Elk, is
A) the original set of fossil remains used to describe a species when it is first found.
B) a fossil with a strong stable isotope signature that can be used to calibrate the local vegetation cover.
C) the fossil remains of a species that existed during a well-established time period, to use in biostratigraphic dating.
D) the fossil of a species amenable to radiometric, and thus absolute, dating.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Index fossils are used in biostratigraphy to define and identify geological periods, as they are widespread, abundant, and limited to a short span of geological time.

An Index Fossil, Such as the Irish Elk, Is