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Fern fossils found in present-day Arctic regions suggest that the area was once much warmer and more conducive to fern growth, likely during a period of time when the Earth’s climate was different. This points to significant climate change in the region over geological time scales.
The understanding of radioactive decay, specifically carbon dating and other radiometric dating methods, has enabled scientists to determine the approximate ages of fossils by measuring the decay of isotopes within the fossils. This process allows scientists to estimate the age of fossils based on the ratio of isotopes present in the sample.
1.)They provide an ancestral linkage to modern species. For example, the chordates (which includes we humans) can be traced back to our common ancestry to sea squirts! The fossils record is database for evolution. 2.)They sometimes can explain the ecological roles and modes of life of past organisms, which can be correlated to modern species. 3.)hey can tell us what types of sediment deposits were present, by determining what fossils are found. i.e. marine fossils present indicates it would be a marine sediment and not a land sediment. p.s. i see u right now
Fossils can provide information on how long-dead animals may have influenced their environment by studying their remains and the sediment they are found in. For example, fossilized footprints, feces, or teeth can indicate the type of animals present and their behaviors, which can give clues about their impact on the ecosystem. Additionally, changes in plant or soil composition around fossils can suggest how animals interacted with and modified their surroundings.
Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation and cementation of sediments, which can entomb and preserve the remains of plants and animals as fossils. Igneous and metamorphic rocks form from molten material or intense heat and pressure, which would destroy any fossils present.
changes in the environment e.g. the place, temperature, climate.
During his voyages, Darwin observed fossils that provided evidence of extinct species, leading him to realize that life on Earth had changed over time. He noted that many fossils resembled living species, suggesting a connection between past and present forms of life. This observation supported his evolving ideas about natural selection and adaptation, as it indicated that species could undergo significant changes in response to their environments. Overall, the fossils reinforced his understanding of evolution as a gradual process influenced by various factors.
The geologic timescale is divided into several eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages, marked by significant events such as mass extinctions, continental drift, and climatic shifts. Major strokes include the Cambrian Explosion, which saw a rapid increase in diverse life forms, and the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that led to the demise of the dinosaurs. Fossils from different periods reflect these changes; for instance, trilobites are abundant in the Paleozoic era, while mammals and birds became prominent in the Cenozoic era. Each major event has shaped the evolution and distribution of life on Earth.
Fossils can form even if microbes are not present. Microbial fossils, such as stromatolites, can form when microbes are present and leave behind structures or chemical signatures that are preserved in the rock record. Non-microbial fossils can include the preserved remains of plants, animals, or other organisms from ancient environments.
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Voids left behind by once present fossils are called 'trace fossils'.
Discontinuity surfaces (bedding planes and various types of unconformities), significant changes in mineralogy or grain size or changes in the types of fossils present in the rock may all help identify differing rock layers.
Lets say if you take any plant of your choice and subject it to extreme conditions of pressure temperature etc., and also aging process then you get some what similar to a Fossil.that is the fossil (considering plant fossils) and other early plants are all "similar" to present day plants (or present day living things) (barring evolutionary changes).Hope this Helps
Fossils are created through a process called fossilization, which occurs when an organism's remains are buried under layers of sediment and undergo chemical changes over a long period of time. This process can take thousands to millions of years, with the formation of fossils typically happening in sedimentary rocks.
The kind and numbers of fossils found in different kinds of rocks give clues about past ecosystems. Fossils give evidence that, in any ecosystem, some plants and animals survive well, and some do not.
Fern fossils found in present-day Arctic regions suggest that the area was once much warmer and more conducive to fern growth, likely during a period of time when the Earth’s climate was different. This points to significant climate change in the region over geological time scales.
During the Ordovician period, several key index fossils were present, including trilobites like Asaphus and Flexicalymene, brachiopods such as Orthida and Strophomena, and graptolites like Didymograptus. These fossils are significant because they help geologists identify and correlate Ordovician rock layers across different regions. Their widespread distribution and rapid evolution make them excellent indicators of the period's marine environments.