Answer:
D. They define geological periods because scientists use them as reference points for tracking the history of the earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Catastrophic events related to changes in geological timeline are very useful in defining geological periods.
These events have very significant appearance in the geological record and can be used to determine the history of the earth.
The catastrophic events usually culminates into extinction cycles or termination of some organisms from the earth surface.
Geologists use these events that are often wide spread to delineate geological periods.