Fossils

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What is a fossil?

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A fossil is the remains or traces of plants and animals that lived a long time ago, often preserved in rock.

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What must happen first for a fossil to form?

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An animal dies.

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How do fossils of ocean animals end up in places far from the sea?

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Seawater must have covered those states at one time.

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What can fossils tell us about the past?

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Fossils can provide information about the environment, climate, and the types of organisms that existed in a particular area.

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What are some examples of fossils?

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Examples of fossils include dinosaur bones, shark teeth, clam shells, and plant leaves.

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What does it mean when we say that scientists' ideas about dinosaurs have changed?

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It means that new discoveries and evidence have led scientists to revise their understanding of what dinosaurs looked like.

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What are the two main categories of fossils?

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The two main categories of fossils are body fossils (actual remains of the organism) and trace fossils (evidence of the organism's activity, like footprints).

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What is sediment?

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Sediment is small particles of rock, soil, and organic material that can cover and preserve remains, leading to fossil formation.

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Why is it important to study fossils?

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Studying fossils helps us understand the history of life on Earth and how species have evolved over time.

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What is an extinct animal?

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An extinct animal is a species that no longer exists anywhere on Earth.