Determining the age of geological structures like fossils and rocks is called

Options

A. Archaeology
B. Speleology
C. Dating
D. Stratigraphy

Answer

To determine the age of geological structures like fossils and rocks, we refer to a specific term that encompasses this process. Let's break down the options provided:

1. **Archaeology**: This is the study of human history and prehistory through excavation and analysis of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. While it involves the study of fossils, it is not specifically focused on dating geological structures.

2. **Speleology**: This term refers to the scientific study of caves and their features. It does not pertain to dating geological structures or fossils.

3. **Dating**: This is the process of determining the age of geological structures, including fossils and rocks. There are various methods of dating, such as radiometric dating, which measures the decay of radioactive isotopes, and stratigraphic dating, which looks at the layers of rock.

4. **Stratigraphy**: This is the branch of geology that studies rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification). While it helps in understanding the sequence of geological events, it does not specifically refer to the act of determining age.

Based on the definitions, the correct answer to the question is **dating**.

### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. **Identify the question**: The question asks for the term that describes the process of determining the age of geological structures like fossils and rocks.
2. **Analyze the options**: Review each option provided to understand their definitions and relevance to the question.
3. **Eliminate incorrect options**:
- **Archaeology**: Incorrect, as it focuses on human history.
- **Speleology**: Incorrect, as it pertains to the study of caves.
- **Stratigraphy**: Incorrect, as it studies rock layers but does not specifically determine age.
4. **Select the correct option**: The term that accurately describes the process of determining age is **dating**.