Fossils and Their Formation

What do paleontologists study to learn about past life on Earth?

• Ocean currents

• Weather patterns

• Fossils

• Stars and planets

In which type of rock are fossils most commonly found?

• Metamorphic rock

• Igneous rock

• Sedimentary rock

• Volcanic rock

Why are fossils typically heavier than the original material?

• They are compressed by rock layers

• They contain metal deposits

• They are made entirely of minerals

• They absorb water

What is the process called when minerals replace the chemicals in a bone?

• Fossilization

• Sedimentation

• Erosion

• Evaporation

Which of the following is NOT an example of a trace fossil?

• Animal fur

• Animal eggs

• Animal tracks

• Animal waste

What type of fossil is formed when an animal's soft tissues are preserved and dried?

• Mineralized fossil

• Trace fossil

• Petrified fossil

• Mummified fossil

Which environment is most likely to preserve mummified animals?

• Mountain

• Ocean

• Desert

• Rainforest

What is the rarest way for a fossil to be formed?

• In tar pits

• Inside ice

• In volcanic ash

• In sedimentary rock

What is an example of a fossil formed in ice?

• Utsie the Iceman

• Trilobite shells

• Dinosaur bones

• Amber insects

What can fossils tell us about extinct animals?

• Their behavior and diet

• Their lifespan

• Their future evolution

• Their favorite color