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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 does it mean to say that the fossils record suggest that evolution occurs among living things?

The fossil record reveals relatively gradual changes in species over time. For example, the earliest horses had three toes and a curved spine, and were quite small. Over millions of years the outer toes migrated up the leg and fused with the leg bone. The teeth changed from browsing on leaves and twigs like those of deer to grazing on grass, more like the teeth of cattle.

How widely is fossil fuel used?

Coal and oil are fairly cheap and abundant fuels, and deposits of these range practically from pole to pole around the globe. Many nations employ extraction technology, and those that don't purchase oil (in particular) as fuel for transportation. So any place an airplane flies or a car, truck, or train may drive, and any navigable water through which a ship may cross, fossil fuel is used.

Where can you find fossils from the cambrain period?

There are a few notable dig sites that have very well preserved fossils from this period. The best sites of the Cambrian period are:

Maotianshan Shales (Chengjiang) 515 Mya Yunnan Province, China Sirius Passet 518 Mya Greenland Emu Bay Shale 513 Mya South Australia Kaili Formation513-501 Mya Guizhou province, south-west China Blackberry Hill~510-500 Mya Central Wisconsin, US Wheeler Shale(House Range) 507 Mya Western Utah, US Burgess Shale 508 Mya British Columbia, Canada Kinnekulle Orsten and AlumShale 500 Mya Sweden ÖlandOrste and Alum Shale 500 Mya Sweden

Where can you find fossils from the Cambrian period?

Prior to the Cambrian life was small and simple. In the Cambrian Period, prodigious change occured, all in the oceans, as the land remained barren. Except for enigmatic forms, all modernanimal phylawith a fossil record, except bryozoa, are represented in the Cambrian. Because some life became mineralized, the possibility of fossil formation greatly increased. Some phyla not represented in the Cambrian fossil record are nonetheless believed to have first appeared during this first period of the Paleozoic Era. Many extinct phyla with unknown relationships to other animals also appeared in the Cambrian. The ostensibly sudden appearance of very diverse faunas over a period of no more than a few tens of millions of years is called theCambrian Explosion. A unique aspect of Cambrian is prevalence of lagerstätten, fossil sites exhibiting exceptional preservation, including preservation of soft tissue parts. The lagerstatten are paramount to science's understanding of the evolutionary origins of complex early organisms that contained the genetic building blocks of life on earth today.

What type of water are fossils mostly found in?

Fossils are not found in water, but rather in the sediment deposits which includes the bottom of a body of water. Fossils are especially prevalent in shallow marine environments where they may become well preserved.

The occurrence of marine fossils in rock strata located high in terrestrial mountain ranges can be attributed to?

The occurrence of marine fossils in rock strata located high in terrestrial mountain ranges can be attributed to the process of tectonic plate movement. These fossils were originally deposited in seabeds and later uplifted as the plates collided and formed mountain ranges through processes like orogeny. This uplift may have occurred over millions of years, resulting in the marine fossils being exposed at high elevations today.

What type of scientist uses fossils to reconstruct Earth's history?

Paleontologists use fossils to reconstruct Earth's history. They study the remains of ancient plants and animals to understand past ecosystems, climate conditions, and evolutionary processes. By analyzing fossils, paleontologists can piece together the story of life on Earth and how it has changed over millions of years.

The type of fossil formed when an organism dissolves and leaves an empty space in a rock is called a what?

A mold fossil is formed when an organism dissolves and leaves an empty space in a rock. This empty space can later be filled by other minerals, forming a cast fossil.

Has the environment where the cynognathus fossil was found change over time?

Yes, the environment where the Cynognathus fossil was found has changed over time. Cynognathus fossils have been found in rock formations that were once part of ancient floodplains and river systems, indicating a different environment from what exists today. The shifting of tectonic plates and changes in climate have altered the landscape where these fossils are now found.

Why is it important for geologists to work gently and slowly while digging up fossils?

Geologists need to work gently and slowly while digging up fossils to avoid damaging the fragile specimens. Careful excavation helps preserve the integrity and details of the fossils, allowing for accurate analysis and interpretation. rushing the excavation process can result in irreversible damage to the fossils, losing important information about Earth's history.

What do paleontologist use to determine the actual age of rocks?

Geologists determine the age of rocks through a process called radiocarbon dating, a process which "peers inside [the] atoms" of the rocks.

For more detailed information about how radiocarbon dating works, check out the related link which is a website with lab instructions for groups in a class.

Ted is exactly 28 years old He wants to determine his age in lunar yearsWrite the steps Ted should follow to determine his lunar age What is Ted's lunar age in years?

24 years times 365.24 days in a year / 29.53 days in a lunar synodic month = 296.84 lunar synodic months.

Sorry, I don't know how many lunar synodic months there are in a lunar year. Someone else please finish the answer.

How can scientists learn about an organism's ancestors other than fossils?

Fossils can be used as records because they contain the remains of creatures from long ago. Fossils show evolution (what prehistoric fish were like for example) and they can show what type of climate an area use to be (For example if you find a fish in your backyard then a long time ago that entire area was under water).

How long fossil fuel energy has been used?

Fossil fuel energy has been used for the past couple of centuries, starting with the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century. The widespread use of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas has provided a significant source of energy for industrial, transportation, and residential purposes.

What are two ways to date fossils?

Two ways to date fossils are relative dating, which involves determining the age of a fossil in relation to other fossils or geological layers, and absolute dating, which provides a numerical age for a fossil using techniques like radiometric dating.

Fossils in which replace all or part an organism?

Fossils created when minerals gradually replace the organic material of an organism, preserving its shape and structure, are called petrified fossils or replacement fossils. Over time, the original material is dissolved, and minerals fill the space, creating a fossilized replica of the organism.

How are fossils used to oppose the theory of evolution?

Fossils are not used to oppose the theory of evolution. They acutually support it in every way. So far not one fossil has been found that is not exactly where you would expect it to be if evolution were true. As we dig deeper we go further back in time and see by piecing fossils together how organisms evolved over time. Although we don't need fossils to support the fact that evolution is happening, it's a nice bonus to have in support of the theory.

Where are venator legs in fossil fighters?

In Fossil Fighters, Venator legs can be found by cleaning a Dark Fossil Rock, which can be uncovered in the Mysterious Mine area. They are rare dinosaur fossil legs that can be revived into a powerful Vivosaur.

What fossils were found in South Dakota?

South Dakota is known for its rich fossil deposits, including fossils of dinosaurs like Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex. Other fossils found in the state include marine reptiles, mammals, and plant remains dating back millions of years. The Badlands National Park and the Black Hills region are particularly well-known for their fossil discoveries.

Did every ancient animal create a fossil?

No, not every ancient animal created a fossil. Fossilization is a rare process that requires specific conditions such as quick burial and the presence of minerals to preserve an organism's remains. As a result, the fossil record represents only a small fraction of all the organisms that have lived on Earth.

Where do you mostly find dinosaur fossil?

The most common places to find them are at limestone quarrys. These contain smaller sea life but are more common. Larger ones show up all the time in different stages, from Montana to Mongolia.

Utah's Henry Mt. has fee digs. And most coast lines you can find Bi-valve fossils and Gastropods. ALL AROUND THE WORLD

In what type of sedimentary rock do you think might find fossils?

You are likely to find fossils in sedimentary rocks, such as limestone, shale, and sandstone. These rocks form from the accumulation and compression of sediment layers over time, which can help preserve the remains of organisms within them.

What is a Method in which a scientist could use fossils to determine the age of the soil in which the fossils were found?

There are several ways of identifying the age of fossils.

Stratigraphic Method

Literally counting the layers or strata of the rock. If you can determine the age of one layer then on most occasions you can count the number of layers down.

Also connected with stratification is Magnetic Stratigraphy. It is thought that Earths magnetic field reverses every 300,000 years (although it is estimated this last happened 780,000 years ago). When certain sedimentary and volcanic layers are laid down elements in the rock align with Earths magnetic field. As you go down the layers of rock you can measure which way the elements are aligned and thus determine the age.

Radiometric Method

Certain radioactive elements can be used to date fossils. Volcanic rock has no lead when it is laid down. However it does contain Uranium. If you compare the ration between U-235 and Pb-207 accurate dates can be determined. Also important is potassium and argon. Ratio's between K-40 and Ar-40 can determine the age of the fossil.

If the fossil is very young (less than 60,000 years) Carbon 14 can also be used. So called carbon dating.

Index Method

Certain animals and plants were wide spread on earth. We also through other methods have determined accurate dates for these index fossils. If you find an index fossil in the same layer as a fossil you can tell the age.

What are the three types of fossils and how they are formed?

Fossils can form from pretty much anything. They normally form from animals fish and objects such as jewelry. Fossils are very unique things and show us what happened in history :)

booooooooooggggggggggggiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee mmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnn is a fossil as well ;)

Scientists have fossil evidence for which idea for the origin of life?

Scientists have fossil evidence supporting the idea that life originated from simple, single-celled organisms that emerged over 3.5 billion years ago. Fossils of these early microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria, provide insights into the evolution of life on Earth.