Fossils

Front

What is amber?

Back

Amber is a type of fossil formed from tree sap that has hardened and been replaced by minerals.

Front

Where is the oldest layer of sedimentary rock found?

Back

The oldest layer of sedimentary rock is found at the bottom layer.

Front

What can scientists infer if they find a fish fossil?

Back

Scientists can infer that water once covered the area where the fossil was found.

Front

What do scientists study to learn about the history of life on Earth?

Back

Scientists study the fossil record to learn about the history of life, past environments, and how organisms have changed over time.

Front

What replaces the wood in petrified wood?

Back

Minerals replace the wood of a once-living thing to form petrified wood.

Front

What is a fossil?

Back

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism.

Front

What is the fossil record?

Back

The fossil record is a historical archive of all the fossils found on Earth, showing the progression of life over time.

Front

What is a mold fossil?

Back

A mold fossil is a type of fossil that forms when an organism leaves an impression in sediment.

Front

What is a cast fossil?

Back

A cast fossil is formed when minerals fill in a mold and create a replica of the organism.

Front

What is petrification?

Back

Petrification is the process by which organic material becomes a fossil through the replacement of its original material with minerals.