Fossils Study Guide
Introduction:
Our planet earth is billions of years old, but the conditions that sustained life developed later. Millions of years ago, when the ancient creatures walked this planet, they were unaware of the natural calamities and disasters.
While changing the course of ecology and geography, these disasters also wiped away the prominent species that existed. The animals or plants that died were buried by the sediments such as sand and rock. Also, we can find traces of remnants under the sea and ocean beds. These ancient remains are termed as fossils. However, the modern fossil definition also considers any preserved life form buried more than 10,000 years ago.
History of fossils
Around 10,000 BCE was the time of the agricultural revolution when the climate changed significantly into what we experience today. Therefore, many unique ancient plants and animal species perished, forming plant fossils and animal fossils.
When a living being dies, the soft internal organs perish when the microorganisms feed on it. However, the hard parts, such as bones, nails, etc., are left behind.
These remains provide a great source for the study of genes, and with the help of advanced prosthetic technologies, we can recreate the closest possible look of the ancient animals. This is how we became aware of the existence of the dinosaurs. In certain cases where external factors are feasible, we can also find preserved soft organs such as hair. In this article, we will learn more about fossils and how they are valuable to us.
Fossils: Definition and purpose
As discussed earlier, fossils are the preserved remains of ancient plant and animal species. Now, what do fossils mean? The term fossils come from the Latin word “Fossils,” which means unearthed. The literal interpretation clarifies that these are the remains buried under sediments.
Some of these remains buried millions of years ago experienced high pressure due to the collection of sediments over them over an extended period.
Therefore, such remains transformed into hydrocarbons, known as fossil fuels today. They are crucial for industrial processes, electricity, and transportation. But, apart from practical uses, there is more to fossils that we will find out further in this article.
Why do we study fossils?
Fossils are the record-keepers of our planet. It is crucial to learn about earth’s history for millions of years to learn from it and to anticipate the future. The study of fossils plays a major role in determining evolutionary principles.
This helps trace the ancestral history of modern species, which gives an idea of where they are headed. Fossils also help us understand the history of earth and continents. How the environment changed and how frequently global climate change patterns.
Moreover, we can also use fossils to study the adaptation of animals to the changing climate and ecology. This also helps correlate different species that share some common traits with each other.
Geologists study fossils to date rocks. It helps them identify different rocks with different compositions that existed at different ages. It also gives an idea about the chemical composition of the environment or the water sources that were in proximity.
How do fossils form?
As discussed earlier, fossils are the plants and animal remains buried by the sediments. Therefore, the majority of fossils are found in sedimentary rocks only. Although, in some rare cases, we can also find fossils in some metamorphic rocks.
Sometimes we can also find fossil molds where the original remains on rocks perish due to natural factors, but their cast is left behind on the rocks. This cast is either preserved through sedimentation or is filled with sand, providing an original mold of the fossils.
In summary, rapid sedimentation is required to preserve the remains. This is because if organic remains are exposed to the environment for too long, it will lead to chemical and environmental decomposition.
Therefore, the most ideal condition for fossil preservation is seas and oceans, where conditions are favorable for rapid decomposition.
Plant leaves and ferns are good examples of fossils produced by compression
Similarly, mountain tops are least favorable for fossil preservation. Here, the carcass decomposes very easily in nature because sedimentation is too slow. There are four prominent ways in which fossils form; let’s look at some of them:
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Petrification: This is the most common form of fossil preservation. Here, certain minerals sift through rocks and get deposited around the organic remains, such as bones and teeth. These are the preserving minerals such as silica or calcium carbonate. Over the years, the organic remains are replaced by these minerals, and the fossils are petrified due to permineralization.
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Compression: Some fossils buried many years ago experience many layers of sediments over them. The pressure of the overwhelming weight forms the impression of these fossils on the underlying layers.
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Molds and casts: As discussed earlier, organic remains of a fossil that form impressions on sedimentary rocks perish, leaving behind a mold that is preserved empty or filled by sand or other such substances.
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Preserved remains: This is the rarest form of fossilization. Sometimes the entire skeleton or soft body parts are preserved. This happens when certain insects get trapped in the tree resin.
Conclusion:
- Fossils are preserved remains of life forms.
- Animals and plants buried by the sediments form the fossils.
- Fossils are most likely to be found in places where rapid sedimentation can occur.
- Fossils are used to study the earth’s history, adaptation, and evolution.
- Fossils that were compressed by pressure were transformed into hydrocarbon fuels.
FAQs:
1. What is the simple definition of fossils?
Fossils are preserved remains of ancient life forms buried millions of years ago.
2. What are five different forms of fossils?
Fossils can be divided into five major categories:
- Trace fossils
- Carbon fossils
- Molecular fossils
- Body fossils
- Pseudo fossils
3. What are the three most common fossils?
Anthropologists, geologists, and paleontologists use three fossils majorly:
- Mold fossil
- Trace fossil
- True form fossil
4. Which is the oldest fossil?
Stromatolites are the oldest known fossils. They can be dated to the beginning of life form on earth.
5. How are fossils made?
As discussed earlier, fossils are made in four major ways:
- Petrification
- Compression
- Molds and casts
- Preserved remains
Sources:
- Fossils and geological time. https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/fossils-and-geological-time/fossils/#:~:text=Fossils%20are%20the%20preserved%20remains,than%2010%20000%20years%20old. Accessed 13 Dec, 2021.
- Fossil. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fossil/. Accessed 13 Dec, 2021.
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