4.

1 Tracing Evidence of
Geologic Change using
Fossils
 Fossils– traces of once living things
that are preserved in rocks
 Fossil Development:
– Sediments quickly have to bury the
original plant or animal remains.
– Sometimes, a cavity is created as the
original organic form decays, which
can then be filled by other sediments,
which harden to rock.
– Can be formed when the original
organism is slowly replaced by mineral
crystals.
A trace fossil is a cavity or track left
behind by an organism (ex.
Footprint).
 A cast fossil is a filled-in cavity left
by the original organic bodies.
 Making of Fossils
 Paleontologists – scientists who
study early life forms.
 Strata – layers formed by sediment
over millions of years.