What does fossil evidence show about the earth's climate?

Answer 1

There are many ways in which fossils can tell us about the changing surface of earth.

Fossils such as ammonites, jelly fish and fish have been found high in mountains. These species almost definitely were marine animals. If you assume that no "higher being" put them there to confuse us, then you have to conclude that the rock must have been at the bottom of the sea at some point and been pushed up to become the mountains.

You can also use distribution of fossils to tell how the continents have moved.

Examples of a small crocodile like creature named Mesosaurus have been found in Brazil and South America suggesting that during the Permian period (299 - 251 million years ago) they were connected. Another example is the mammal-like-reptile Lystrosaurus. Examples dating from about 250 million years ago were found in Antarctica, South Africa and India.

Answer 2

Fossil records tell us what plants and animal lived in what areas throughout history. They show us that the planet has gone through at least five warming and cooling cycles similar to the current we are in.

Answer 3

There is a fossil of a creature that is similar to a woodlouse, only bigger. A type of this fossil can be found in both England and Scotland BUT there is a slight difference between these fossils. We know the earth's surface has changed over time because only the woodlouse fossil found in Scotland matches the one found on the east-coast of America, meaning Scotland and America must have been joined at one point.

Answer 4

It shows us that CO2 levels were much higher in the past and that the climate did just fine. By burring fossil fuels we are just returning CO2 to the atmosphere that was once in the atmosphere. Thus it is a good thing.

Answer 5

Fossil evidence shows that the earth's climate has changed significantly over millions of years. By analyzing fossils from different time periods, scientists can track shifts in temperature, sea levels, and atmospheric composition. This data helps us understand how the climate has fluctuated in the past and can provide insights into future climate change.