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Fossils – clues to the past

Fossils – clues to the past. Fossil – defined *Preserved Remains or Traces of life *Found only in Sedimentary Rocks. Fossilization Conditions ….. RARE EVENTS! 1) Rapid burial 2) Protection (from scavengers, environmental conditions). Fossil types 1) Hard parts survival.

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Fossils – clues to the past

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  1. Fossils – clues to the past

  2. Fossil – defined *Preserved Remains or Traces of life *Found only in Sedimentary Rocks

  3. Fossilization Conditions ….. RARE EVENTS! 1) Rapid burial 2) Protection (from scavengers, environmental conditions)

  4. Fossil types 1) Hard parts survival

  5. Permineralized Remains • Minerals partially or completely replace original parts

  6. Carbonization • Volatile elements like H, O, and N disappear, leaving carbon film

  7. Note: COAL = carbon remains of living organisms (primarily plants)

  8. Mold or Cast • Organism decays, sediments/minerals preserve the remaining cavity • Mold = outside impression; Cast = inside filling

  9. 5) Original Remains preservation Preservation in amber, ice, tar

  10. La Brea tarpits, Los Angeles, California

  11. 6) Trace Fossils Examples include burrows, footprints, trails (coprolites too!)

  12. Fossils provide clues about early earth environments

  13. Index fossils Fossils that existed over relatively short periods of time in many areas of the earth help to provide “benchmarks” for our time estimates; such macro- and microfossils, also known as “guide” or “zone” fossils are used a lot for time period identification (biostratigraphy)

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