Rock Layers and Fossils

Rock Layers and Fossils

ESS1-1

Layers of the Earth show us:

• its history

• fossils of animals and plants from long ago

Multiple Choice

The Earth's layers can tell us about its history.

• true

• false

What are fossils?

Remains of plants or animals that lived long ago. This process of matter turning into a fossil is called FOSSILIZATION.

Multiple Choice

Fossils are remains of animals and plants from long ago.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

What is the process of matter turning into a fossil?

• transformation

• fossilization

Shifting Layers

Erosion and earthquakes are natural forces that wear down layers of rock and exposes remains of the past.

Multiple Choice

Which natural force cause rock layers to move or wear down?

• erosion

• fossilization

• crystallization

Rock Layers

Rock layers are like stacks of pancakes. The oldest pancake is on the bottom of the stack. The same is true for rocks. New rock is created on top of the older rocks.

This a Trilobite

Trilobites are marine animals that lived long before dinosaurs.

Multiple Choice

How do you think scientist knew that?

• They found trilobite fossils in rock layers BELOW layers where they found dinosaur fossils.

• They found trilobite fossils in rock layers ABOVE layers where they found dinosaur fossils.

Under Water

This image shows that that marine life once lived in this area. How do you know?

Next time you go for a hike....

pay attention to your surroundings. You never know what you'll find.