1. Fossils Rocks and Fossils Notes #2

2. What are Fossils? Fossil- any evidence of an organism that lived in the past. Soft body parts like organs and skin do not usually become fossils. They decompose easily. Hard parts like bones and teeth get mixed in with sediment as sedimentary rocks form.

3. How Old Are Fossils? Geologists use relative age to determine a fossil’s age. The deeper in the soil a fossil is found, the older it is. Younger fossils Older fossils

4. How are Fossils Formed? Imprint- A fossil created by a print or impression. (ex: animal footprints.)

5. How are Fossils Formed? Mold- A fossil clearly showing the outside features of an organism.

6. How are Fossils Formed? Cast- A fossil formed, or shaped, within a mold. Mold Cast http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2901/es2901page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization http://petrifiedwoodmuseum.org/moldscasts.htm

7. How are Fossils Formed? Amber- Hardened tree sap, yellow to brown in color, often a source of insect fossils. Animals rest on trees and get trapped in the sap. amber

8. How are Fossils Formed? Petrified- When plants or animals have been preserved by being “turned to stone” by being filled by minerals. http://www.yourgemologist.com/Kids/petrifiedwood/petrifiedwood.html

9. How are Fossils Formed? These fossils were found preserved in tar in California. This baby mammoth was found preserved in ice in Siberia. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/05/mammoths/latreille-photography

10. What Can We Learn From Fossils? Fossils give us clues as to what that environment used to be like. For example: Finding evergreen fossils tell a scientist that the area was once cool. If a fern is found in a polar region, then that region was once warm. What would it mean if fossils of sea creature were found on our playground?

11. How do we know that this dino was a carnivore? What clues tell you that this dino was an herbivore?

12. Links every fossil tells a story