FOSSILS AND HOW THEY FORM
Introduction:
Fossils are remains or traces of ancient organisms, which provide evidence of past life on Earth. They can be found in sedimentary rocks, ice, amber, and other natural materials. Fossils can provide information on the evolution and extinction of species, as well as environmental conditions at the time they existed.
Key Concepts:
- Fossilization: the process by which organic material is preserved and transformed into a fossil.
- Preservation: the manner in which fossils are protected from decay and erosion.
- Types of fossils: molds and casts, petrified wood, amber, frozen fossils, and trace fossils.
Relevant Equations and Formulas:
- None required.
Examples:
- Molds and casts: This type of fossil forms when an organism decays, leaving an impression or mold in sedimentary rock. If the mold becomes filled with minerals, a cast of the original organism will form.
- Petrified wood: This type of fossil forms when a tree is buried in sediment and minerals replace the organic material, turning the wood into stone.
- Amber: This type of fossil forms when tree resin hardens and traps small insects or other organisms, preserving them in the amber for millions of years.
- Frozen fossils: This type of fossil forms when an organism is frozen in ice, preserving the soft tissues for thousands of years.
- Trace fossils: This type of fossil includes footprints, burrows, and other traces left by organisms, providing evidence of behavior and locomotion.
References for Further Learning:
- National Park Service: Fossilization and Preservation https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/fossilization.htm
- University of California Museum of Paleontology: Fossil Formation https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/paleo/fossils/formprocess.html
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Fossilization https://naturalhistory.si.edu/education/teaching-resources/earth-science/fossilization
- Live Science: Fossils: Definition, Types, and Examples https://www.livescience.com/43295-fossils.html
