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Fossil Notes

This document discusses how fossils and rock layers can be used to determine the history of Earth and its life forms. It explains that fossils are remains of organisms preserved by geological processes, and that sedimentary rock forms when sediment buries and covers organisms, slowing decay. Index fossils which lived during a well-defined period can be used to date rock layers. The fossil record provides evidence of environmental changes over time though it only shows a portion of life on Earth.

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707 views8 pages

Fossil Notes

This document discusses how fossils and rock layers can be used to determine the history of Earth and its life forms. It explains that fossils are remains of organisms preserved by geological processes, and that sedimentary rock forms when sediment buries and covers organisms, slowing decay. Index fossils which lived during a well-defined period can be used to date rock layers. The fossil record provides evidence of environmental changes over time though it only shows a portion of life on Earth.

Uploaded by

api-293690555
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.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

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