Why were geologists able to switch from determining relative age of geologic events to determining the numerical age?
A) New fossils were discovered.
B) Radioactivity was discovered.
C) New geologic units were discovered.
D) Numerical age dating became more widely accepted.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The discovery of radioactivity allowed geologists to determine the numerical age of rocks and geologic events using radiometric dating techniques. Radioactive isotopes decay at a known rate, allowing scientists to calculate the age of the rock or mineral sample in which they are found. This shift from determining only relative age to numerical age was a major advancement in the field of geology.

Why Were Geologists Able to Switch from Determining Relative Age