Module 2: Study of Earth from long ago

Front

What is fossilization?

Back

Fossilization is the process of turning the remains of plants and animals into fossils over a long period of time.

Front

What tool do paleontologists use to see tiny details?

Back

A microscope is a tool that helps paleontologists see small details in fossils.

Front

What happens first in the fossilization process?

Back

An animal dies and ends up in the sea, where it is covered with a thin layer of sand.

Front

What happens after an animal is covered with sand?

Back

It gets covered by many layers of sand, and pressure turns the sand into rock.

Front

What is the next step after the sand turns to rock?

Back

Water and minerals seep into the bones, turning them into stone.

Front

What do we call bones that have turned to stone?

Back

Petrified bones are bones that have turned into stone through fossilization.

Front

What is the last step in the fossilization process?

Back

The fossil is pushed to the surface, where it can be discovered and excavated by paleontologists.

Front

What is a pickaxe used for in paleontology?

Back

A pickaxe is used by paleontologists to dig and break rocks to find fossils.

Front

What is sediment?

Back

Sediment is small pieces of rock and dirt that can cover and preserve remains of plants and animals.

Front

What is the role of pressure in fossilization?

Back

Pressure helps to turn layers of sand into rock, which is important for fossilization.