Petrified fossils

Petrified Fossils

By: Jaylee & Savannah

How are petrified fossils made?

• form when minerals replace the structure of an organism

• A process called replacement happens when dissolved minerals often replace the hard parts of animals and plants

• These fossils are not the actual remains of the organisms

• They are actually rocks that are mineral replicas of the organisms

Multiple Choice

How do petrified fossils form?

• Erosion and deposition

• When minerals replace dead organisms

• When fossils are destroyed

• Compaction and cementation

​What makes petrified fossils different from other fossils?

• the cells of the original organism has to have been replaced by minerals

• Occurs using a process called perminalization

• so a record of the internal structures are preserved.

• Other fossils are different because the entire original organism is decomposed leaving behind something like a cavity which is later filled in with minerals

Multiple Choice

True or False - petrified fossils are made by minerals filling up cavity’s

• True

• False

​How to determine the difference between petrified fossils and other fossils

​Petrified fossils	Other fossils
​Has entire cell structure replaced with minerals	Has its ​pores filled with minerals
​Has striking variations in colors and patterns	​Has a more rough look
​Sometimes has more of a smooth surface	​Has dull colors

Multiple Choice

Which is a petrified fossil?

​Interesting facts about petrified fossils

• Petrified wood is considered an antique and is very old

• It is considered a gemstone

• It’s the state gem of Washington, USA

• It is mined like stone

Multiple Choice

Petrified wood is the State Gem of Wisconsin, USA.

• True

• False