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Fossils

This category is for questions about the bones, fragments, imprints, and other remainders from a different time. The questions and answer you will find here are history set in stone -- our past, immortalized in solid rock. You will also be able to find questions pertaining to the locations of these fossils, how you might identify them, and how they were formed.

3,454 Questions

What kind of rock is best when you go fossil hunting?

The best type of rock to find fossils in is sedimentary rock this is laid down over time and will contain dead animal's, fish and crustaceans. Specific types are trilobites and brachiopods.

Fossils can often be found in coal.

How do fossils provide evidence of how enviromental conditions and life have changed?

Based upon the soil/rock surrounding the fossil, the Earth's climate and surface may have changed since the components in the fossil were perhaps relatively different from the present.

How does a fossil help identify things that lived in the past?

A fossil is the mineral formation left as slowly decaying matter, such as bones or shells, is replaced with mineral deposits, or impressions left behind when a soft substance such as mud dries into a solid rock-like state while still holding the imprint.

These help identify things that lived in the past by giving us a record of what the skeletal structure of animals looked like, or other features, such as the shells or footprints. From this data, we can extrapolate a lot about the creatures. The teeth show if they were carnivores or herbivores. The skeleton shows the general shape of the creatures. The size of the brain can be determined by looking at the cranial cavity (the space within the skull that holds the brain)

There are many other things that can be determined by studying fossils, but there is not enough room to include everything here.

Is lancelet living or nonliving?

A lancelet is a living organism. It is a type of marine invertebrate with a simple body structure, similar to that of a fish. Lancelets are considered living organisms because they exhibit characteristics of life such as growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli.

What is a living fossil?

A living fossil is a species that has remained relatively unchanged for millions of years and is similar in appearance to its ancient ancestors. These species provide valuable insights into evolutionary processes and often have unique characteristics that have allowed them to survive for long periods without significant changes. Examples include the horseshoe crab and the coelacanth.

How can you tell if your Fossil bag is fake?

I just bought a used Fossil hobo bag I'm not sure it is real? The stitching is all the same on the out side trimming. it has brass buckles on the pockets and zipper is bass with fossil stamped in it in a circle. the inside does have made in china on a white tag/ with the other side saying ZB 9251. The patch on the out side is brown fabric with leather framing it with the same trimming thread as the out side it says fossil authentic style 19 on one side and 54 on the other inside it is on a silk fabric patch with the same saying as the inside. The lining is canvas's, with brown stitching.The out side is a rich color tapetric fabric. Thanks Darby

How can you ensure that evidence of abuse is preserved?

To ensure evidence of abuse is preserved, it is important to document any visible injuries or signs of abuse through photographs or written descriptions, seek medical attention if necessary, report the abuse to the appropriate authorities, and avoid altering any potential evidence. Additional steps may include preserving any relevant physical objects or electronic communication that could serve as evidence of the abuse.

Why are more fossils found in the paleozoic era than in the precambrian era?

During the Precambrian times, life was mostly limited to single celled organisms. Life that was not single cellular didn't have any hard body part (like teeth, bones, shells, etc.) and so they weren't preserved.

What would most likely be found in a supporting sentence?

A supporting sentence typically provides more details, examples, or explanations to back up the main idea or topic of a paragraph. It could include specific evidence, statistics, facts, or anecdotes that help strengthen the overall argument or point being made.

Where would you find rocks with large crystals?

Rocks with large crystals are typically found in igneous rocks that cooled slowly beneath the Earth's surface. These rocks are often found in mountainous regions or areas with active volcanic activity where magma can crystallize slowly to form large crystals. Examples include granite, pegmatite, and gabbro.

What type of fossil is formed by resin sediments that have hardened in a hollow space?

Amber is the type of fossil formed by resin sediments that have hardened in a hollow space. It is prized for its beauty and sometimes contains well-preserved insects or plant material.

How does the age of fossils found in seafloor?

Fossils found on the seafloor can be dated using techniques such as radiometric dating or stratigraphic correlation. By analyzing the rock layers and the types of fossils found in them, scientists can determine the age of the fossils and the seafloor where they were discovered. This helps in understanding the history of the ocean and the evolution of marine life.

What is cast fossil?

A cast fossil is formed when a mold fossil is filled in with minerals or sediments, creating a replica of the original organism. The mold is created when an organism decays or is buried in sediment, leaving an impression behind. Cast fossils can provide valuable information about the shape and structure of the original organism.

What does the discovery of a fossil of an ancient fish atop a mountain indicate about Earth's past?

The discovery of a fossil of an ancient fish atop a mountain suggests that the area was once underwater, possibly indicating plate tectonics and the movement of Earth's crust. It provides evidence of past geological changes and can help scientists reconstruct the history of the Earth's surface.

Why do people want to know about fossils?

People want to know about fossils because they provide evidence of past life forms and help us understand the history of life on Earth. Studying fossils can also provide insights into evolution, ancient environments, and how living organisms have adapted over time. Additionally, fossils can help us make predictions about future biodiversity and environmental changes.

How do fossils help identify a timeline of earth?

there are many layers in the earth's soil. you can see them clearly in canyons, for example. the lower the layer, the older. so if the fossil is found near the top, it's fairly recent. if it's way down below, it's really ancient. hope this helps.

When did organisms that formed index fossils?

Organisms that formed index fossils existed during specific time periods in Earth's history. These organisms lived in abundance, had a widespread distribution, and have distinctive features that make them easy to identify in the fossil record. By studying these index fossils, scientists can determine the relative age of the rocks in which they are found.

What is The oldest known bat fossil?

The oldest known bat fossil is from 52.5 million years ago and belongs to a species called Onychonycteris finneyi. This fossil was discovered in Wyoming, USA and provided important insights into the evolution of bats.

Are dinosaur fossils in all continents?

Yes, dinosaur fossils have been found on all continents, including Antarctica. Fossils from different regions provide valuable insights into the diversity and distribution of dinosaurs during the Mesozoic era.

What type of fossils did Robert Scott discover?

Robert Scott, a British geologist, discovered marine reptile fossils, specifically of ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, in the Jurassic rocks of Lyme Regis in England. His discoveries played a significant role in our understanding of prehistoric marine animals.

What are altered remains?

Altered remains refer to any physical remains, such as bones or artifacts, that have been intentionally modified or changed by external factors, such as burial practices, rituals, or natural processes. These alterations can provide valuable insights into cultural practices, beliefs, and interactions with the environment.

What is an example of how a fossil can be destroyed by weathering?

Weathering can cause fossils to degrade by breaking them down into smaller pieces. For example, rain can erode the rock that houses the fossil, causing it to become exposed and easily damaged by physical elements like wind or further water erosion. Over time, this process can wear away the fossil and make it unrecognizable.

Why are fossils so important to scientists?

Many of the found fossils of Archeopteryx have the impressions of what appears to be feathers. This established a possible relationship between birds and dinosaurs. Because of the Archeopteryx fossil, scientists were able to theorize that birds evolved from, and therefore are the direct descendants of some dinosaurs.