FOSSILS

FORMATION OF FOSSILS Fossils are preserved remains or traces of living things. Fossils are preserved remains or traces of living things.

Paleontologist Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils. Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils.

What do fossils tell us? Fossils tell us : Fossils tell us : 1. How life has changed over time. 2. How Earth’s surface has changed over time. Ex: Sea organisms found high in rocks 3. What past climates were like. Ex: Alligators found in cold regions

Why study fossils? 4. Appearance and activities of ancient organisms

Types of fossils Petrified fossil Petrified fossil Mold and Cast Mold and Cast Trace fossil Trace fossil Carbon film Carbon film Preserved remains Preserved remains

Petrified Fossils Fossils in which minerals (inorganic materials) replace all or part of an organism (living thing). Fossils in which minerals (inorganic materials) replace all or part of an organism (living thing). Example – petrified wood Example – petrified wood

Petrified stump, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Colorado, USA

Mold and cast A mold is a hollow area of sediment in the shape of the organism. A mold is a hollow area of sediment in the shape of the organism. A cast is a copy of the shape of an organism. A cast is a copy of the shape of an organism.

Trilobite and Shell

Trace Fossil Trace fossils provide evidence of the activities of ancient organisms (footprints). Trace fossils provide evidence of the activities of ancient organisms (footprints).Examples A footprint provide clues about the size and behavior, the speed, how many legs it walked on, lived alone or with others. A footprint provide clues about the size and behavior, the speed, how many legs it walked on, lived alone or with others. A trail or burrow can give clues about the size and shape of the organism, where it lived, and how it obtained food. A trail or burrow can give clues about the size and shape of the organism, where it lived, and how it obtained food.

Fossilized dinosaur footprint

Carbon Film Carbon film is an extremely thin coating of carbon on a rock Carbon film is an extremely thin coating of carbon on a rock (soft organisms). (soft organisms).

Redwood tree leaf

Preserved remains Preservation of remains with little or no change. Preservation of remains with little or no change. Preservation material includes: Tar Tar Amber Amber Ice Ice

Insect preserved in amber