Fossil Formation

Question 1

State the 1st stage in fossil formation

Answer 1

Creature dies and is quickly covered by sediment. This stops scavengers destroying the carcass.

Question 2

State the 2nd stage in fossil formation

Answer 2

The soft ground covers the carcass and reduces the O2 levels around the body. This slows decomposition, by bacteria + fungi. Soft tissues are broken down, leaving bones.

Question 3

State 3rd stage in fossil formation

Answer 3

More sediments build up, on top of the remains increasing pressure. This pressure causes minerals from the surrounding rock to replace minerals from the bones. This creates a fossil.

Question 4

State 4th stage in fossil formation

Answer 4

Fossils are pushed to the surface by geological processes and exposed or dug up by humans.

Question 5

What are the 4 types fo fossils?

Answer 5

• Impression fossils
• Mineralised fossils
• Trace fossils
• Mummified fossils

Question 6

Which one of the 4 types of fossils theoretically isn’t a fossil and why?

Answer 6

Mummified fossils. Fossils are not composed of biological matter, they are rock. Mummified fossils are preserved bodies.

Question 7

Give brief description of impression fossils

Answer 7

Shape and imprint of creature is left in rock

Question 8

Give brief description of mineralised fossils

Answer 8

Entire organism has been fossiled as a whole

Question 9

Give brief description of trace fossils

Answer 9

Evidence of orgaism’s activity. Eg: Footprints, poopoo, tracks, etc.

Question 10

Give brief description of mummified fossils

Answer 10

Preserved bodies where soft tissue hasn’t been decomposed to great extent

Question 11

Give scenarios of where mummified fossils could occur

Answer 11

• Baby mammoth burried and trapped in ice
• Amber trapping bug