fossils

Front

What is a fossil?

Back

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism, such as plants, animals, or other organisms.

Front

How are fossils formed?

Back

Fossils are formed through a process that includes the death of an organism, burial under sediment, and the gradual replacement of organic material with minerals.

Front

What is sediment?

Back

Sediment is small particles of rock, soil, and organic material that accumulate in layers, often in water.

Front

What does it mean when we say a fossil is 'youngest'?

Back

The 'youngest' fossil is the most recent one found in the layers of sediment, indicating it lived more recently than others.

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What is petrified wood?

Back

Petrified wood is wood that has turned into stone through the process of mineralization, where minerals replace the organic material.

Front

What can fossils tell us about the past?

Back

Fossils provide evidence about what life was like in the past, including the types of organisms that existed and the environments they lived in.

Front

What is the significance of finding a seaweed fossil in Georgia?

Back

It suggests that part of Georgia was once covered by salt water, indicating changes in the environment over time.

Front

What happens to soft tissues of organisms after they die?

Back

Soft tissues decompose or are eaten by other living things, leaving behind hard parts like bones or shells.

Front

What is the role of minerals in fossilization?

Back

Minerals replace the organic material in bones or shells, turning them into rock over time.

Front

What is a fossil layer?

Back

A fossil layer is a distinct layer of sedimentary rock that contains fossils, which can be used to determine the relative age of the fossils.