Question

1. one characteristic of a good index fossil is that the organisms that produced these fossils

a) left remains that can be found in igneous,
sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
b) lived over a wide geographic area
c) existed on earth for a long period of geologic
time
d) lived both on land and in the water during part of their lives

Explanation:

Index fossils are used to date rock layers. Key traits include wide geographic distribution (so they can correlate rocks across regions), short geologic existence (to narrow down time), and easy identification. Option A is wrong because index fossils are only in sedimentary rocks. Option C is incorrect as they need a short geologic range. Option D is not a required trait. Option B matches the key characteristic of wide geographic occurrence.

Answer:

B) lived over a wide geographic area