Final answer:
Geologists use carbon dating, stratigraphy, and radioactive decay to determine the age of landforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geologists use various methods to determine the age of landforms:
- Carbon dating: Scientists use carbon dating to determine the age of organic materials, such as fossils or remains of plants or animals. Carbon dating relies on measuring the amount of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon, present in the sample. As carbon-14 decays at a known rate, the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 can be used to calculate the age of the sample.
- Stratigraphy: Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers and their sequence. By examining the order and characteristics of different rock layers, geologists can determine the relative age of landforms. For example, if a layer of sedimentary rock is found above another layer, the one above is younger. Stratigraphy provides important clues about the age of landforms.
- Radioactive decay: Radioactive decay is a process in which unstable atomic nuclei break down, transforming into more stable nuclei and releasing radiation in the process. Geologists can analyze the ratio between parent and daughter isotopes in rocks or minerals to calculate their age. By measuring the rate of radioactive decay, they can determine the age of landforms.
Therefore, the correct answer is d) All of the above, as scientists use carbon dating, stratigraphy, and radioactive decay to determine the age of landforms.