Fossil Vocabulary

any process of formation or growth; development over time

• fossilization

• evolution

• preservation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock

• Mold

• Cast

• Fossil

• Impression

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

a historical representation of the changes in life and geography over time as found in fossils in various layers of rock

• fossil record

• evolution

• geologic time scale

• geologic time period

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A fossil that is used to help determine the approximate age of the rocks around it

• Trace Fossil

• Carbon Film Fossil

• Cast Fossil

• Index Fossil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A fossil of a footprint, trail, or other evidence of an organism but not the organism itself.

• Cast Fossil

• Mold Fossil

• Trace Fossil

• Carbon Film Fossil

A fossil that forms when sediment fills in a mold fossil creating a 3-D replica of the organism

• Cast Fossil

• Mold Fossil

• Trace Fossil

• Carbon film Fossil

a fossil that forms when a delicate organism or part decays leaving a thin film of carbon in the silhouette (shape) of the original organism

• Cast Fossil

• Mold Fossil

• Trace Fossil

• Carbon film Fossil

A fossil that forms when an organism dies and is covered by sediment. As it decays an empty space is left where the body used to be

• Cast Fossil

• Mold Fossil

• Trace Fossil

• Carbon film Fossil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

the true age of a rock or fossil, tells scientists the number of years ago a rock formed

• absolute age

• relative age

• carbon age

the geologic age of a fossil organism, rock, or geologic feature or event defined relative to other organisms, rocks, or features or events rather than in terms of years

• absolute age

• relative age

• carbon age

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4