1. Fossil Notes
8.E.2 Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms.

2. 8.E.2 Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms.
Earth's history can be determined by looking at fossils and rock layers.
How are the ages of rocks, fossils, and Earth determined?
Essential Vocab:
Fossil
Index Fossil
Sedimentary Rock

3. 8.E.2 Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms.
fossils -
remains or physical evidence of an organism
preserved by geologic processes
organisms die and immediately begin to decay or are eaten, some things slow down the decay
sedimentary rock
amber
petrification - minerals replace the organic tissue
asphalt - tar pits
ice

4. 8.E.2 Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms.

5. 8.E.2 Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms.
Sedimentary rock – formed by the deposition of material (sediment) on the surface and in bodies of water
organisms can be quickly covered by sediment - slows the decay process
hard parts like shells and bone are more resistant to decay
once sediment becomes rock, fossils may be formed

6. 8.E.2 Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms.
besides bones and shells…
trace fossils - any naturally preserved animals activity
tracks - fill with sediment
burrows
coprolite - dung
mold - cavity left by dissolved away material
cast - sediment fills a cavity left by the decomposed organism

7. 8.E.2 Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms.
dating rocks and fossils
index fossils - organisms lived for a short, well defined time period, found in rock layers all over the world

8. 8.E.2 Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms.
fossil record - historical sequence of life indicated by fossils found in the Earth's crust
only provides a rough idea of life on Earth
fossils
hard material survives better than soft
only certain areas create fossils
many are yet to be discovered
environmental changes
marine fossils found on mountains
tropical plants in dry climates