This is the estimation of the age of a formation.

This is the estimation of the age of a formation.

• A. Relative ages
• B. Radiometric ages
• C. Absolute ages
• D. Fossil ages

Answer: (C)

Absolute dating provides a numeric age in years for a formation, using methods like radiometric dating that measure radioactive decay in minerals. This yields exact numbers (millions or billions of years), unlike relative dating, which only orders rocks from older to younger without a specific date. Fossil ages often help place a layer in a time frame but typically contribute to relative age estimates rather than a precise numeric age. So for estimating the age of a formation in years, the best approach is absolute ages.

Absolute dating provides a numeric age in years for a formation, using methods like radiometric dating that measure radioactive decay in minerals. This yields exact numbers (millions or billions of years), unlike relative dating, which only orders rocks from older to younger without a specific date. Fossil ages often help place a layer in a time frame but typically contribute to relative age estimates rather than a precise numeric age. So for estimating the age of a formation in years, the best approach is absolute ages.