Fossil Records and Index Fossils

Front

How do most fossils form?

Back

A dead organism becomes buried in sediment.

Front

In what kind of rock can fossils be found?

Back

Sedimentary Rocks.

Front

What evidence is most important when using relative dating?

Back

The position of fossils in sedimentary rock layers.

Front

According to the law of superposition, where are the oldest fossils found?

Back

Near the bottom of the rock layers.

Front

How do fossils provide evidence that evolution has happened on Earth?

Back

Fossils show how life forms present today are different than those from the past.

Front

What is an index fossil?

Back

A fossil that is used to define and identify a particular time period in the geological time scale.

Front

Why are index fossils important in geology?

Back

They help to date the rock layers in which they are found.

Front

What characteristics make a good index fossil?

Back

It must be widely distributed, abundant, and exist for a short geological time.

Front

What is the process of fossilization?

Back

The process by which organic material is preserved in sedimentary rock.

Front

What role do sedimentary rocks play in fossil formation?

Back

They provide the environment for organisms to be buried and preserved.