How does the reliability of crater counting change when estimating the age of very old terrains versus younger features?

Answer

It is exquisitely sensitive for very old terrains but less precise for younger features

Early in the solar system, the impact rate dropped off sharply, meaning small density differences represent huge age gaps (high sensitivity). Later, when the rate stabilized, the relationship flattened, requiring morphology for precision in young features.

How does the reliability of crater counting change when estimating the age of very old terrains versus younger features?
agecraterGeologymethodimpact