Fossil Notes

Fossil- trace or remains of living things from long ago Studied by paleontologists Almost always found in sedimentary rock

How are Fossils preserved? When an animal dies, the remains are covered by sediment. This sediment hardens and forms rock layers over time. What process moves the rocks and sediment? EROSION

Fossil Formation In order for a fossil to form, conditions need to be perfect Animal dies in or around sediment The “soft” parts of the animal decay away Body of organism is buried by sediment and over time is replaced with minerals thus turning the organism into stone

Types of Fossils Molds: shape left after organisms are buried and then decay away. Casts: a solid model in the shape of an organism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfg69kUt2eI

Types of Fossils 3. Petrified Fossil: when minerals replace an organism and the fossil turns into stone, this usually happens by water passing through the dead organism

http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=54566

Types of Fossils 4. Trace Fossil: a fossil that is not an organism but provides proof of an organism. Can be a footprint, droppings, or nest.

Types of Fossils 5. Carbon Film (Carbonized): when a fossil is coated in a thin, very detailed layer of carbon. If highly preserved, these fossils can supply a lot of detail even about the “soft” parts of the organism.

Types of fossils 6. Original Remains (Preserved): Actual body part of an organism, preserved for a long time. This happens when an animal is trapped in ice, tar, or amber which keeps the fossil from being affected by air.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOFf1wyx91M

Index Fossils Index Fossils - Fossils that are widely distributed for a short period of time in the world and are used to tell the relative age of rocks.

Brain POP Summary https://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/fossils/