Fossils

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What are fossils?

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Fossils are the remains or traces of plants and animals that lived a long time ago, often found in rocks.

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How do fossils form?

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Fossils form when plants or animals are buried quickly by sediment, which protects them from decay.

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What is sediment?

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Sediment is small pieces of rock, soil, and other materials that can cover and preserve remains.

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What can fossils tell us about the past?

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Fossils can provide information about what ancient plants and animals looked like and how they lived.

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What is a footprint fossil?

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A footprint fossil is an imprint left by an animal's foot that has turned into rock over time.

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Why are most dead plants and animals not found as fossils?

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Most dead plants and animals quickly rot or get eaten, so they do not become fossils.

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What is the role of time in fossil formation?

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It takes a long time for remains to become fossils, often millions of years.

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What type of environment is best for fossil formation?

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Wet environments, like riverbeds or lakes, are best for fossil formation because they help preserve remains.

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What is an example of a fossil?

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An example of a fossil is a dinosaur bone or a leaf imprint.

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What do paleontologists study?

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Paleontologists study fossils to learn about the history of life on Earth.