Fossils Vocab

Front

Fossil copy of an organism's shape formed by minerals in a mold.

Back

cast

Front

Trace of an organism preserved in rock

Back

fossil

Front

Fossil formed when an organism buried in sediment dissolves, leaving a hollow area.

Back

mold

Front

Fossil with a thin carbon coating on rock

Back

carbon film

Front

Fossil where minerals replace part or all of an organism

Back

petrified fossil

Front

Type of fossil indicating ancient organism activities

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trace fossils

Front

Scientist studying fossils to learn about ancient organisms

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Paleontologists

Front

Geologic principle: In horizontal sedimentary layers, each layer is older than the one above and younger than the one below.

Back

Law of Superposition

Front

Record of geologic events and life forms in Earth's history

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Geologic Time Scale

Front

Describes an organism that no longer exists on Earth

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extinct