Which process involves estimating the age of fossils by comparing them to others of known age?

The process of estimating the age of fossils by comparing them to others of known age is known as relative dating. This approach relies on the principle of stratigraphy, which examines the layers of rock (strata) where fossils are found. By identifying the position of a fossil within these layers, scientists can determine its relative age in comparison to other fossils found in different strata or layers. If a fossil is found in a layer above another fossil that has already been dated, it is assumed to be younger. This method does not provide an exact age in years but instead allows researchers to establish a sequence of events in the geological timeline.

In contrast, absolute dating seeks to determine a precise age of a fossil or rock using techniques such as radiometric dating, which measures the decay of isotopes. Geological dating is a broader term that can encompass various methods of dating, while chronometric dating usually refers to measuring time in a quantitative sense, providing specific dates rather than relative ages.