To establish the age of a rock or a fossil, researchers use some type of clock to determine the date it was formed. Geologists commonly use radiometric dating methods, based on the natural radioactive decay of certain elements such as potassium and carbon, as reliable clocks to date ancient events.

How do scientists estimate geologic time?

Radioactive or radiometric dating is a very important method of determining an absolute age for a rock using radioactive isotopes. As minerals crystallise in igneous and metamorphic rocks they trap certain isotopes in their crystal structure that begin to decay radioactively as soon as the mineral forms.

What are the 3 subdivisions of geologic time?

The geologic time scale is divided into eons, eras, periods, epochs and ages with eons being the longest time divisions and ages the shortest.

What are the 4 geologic time scales?

Earths history is characterized by four eons; in order from oldest to youngest, these are the Hadeon, Archean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic.

Who was the first geologist?

James Hutton James Hutton (1726–1797), a Scottish farmer and naturalist, is known as the founder of modern geology. He was a great observer of the world around him. More importantly, he made carefully reasoned geological arguments.

Who is the father of geologist?

naturalist James Hutton The Scottish naturalist James Hutton (1726-1797) is known as the father of geology because of his attempts to formulate geological principles based on observations of rocks.