Fossilization
![Picture](/uploads/9/2/8/3/92834790/how-fossils-are-formed-final-gif_2_orig.gif)
How are fossils formed?
As an ancient organism dies, their bones are quickly covered with sediment, and over time, more sediment piles up on top of the bones. In order for fossils to form, the remains must become buried quickly after death occurs, the remains must be covered with layers of sediment, dissolved minerals in water must fill in tiny spaces in the bones, and as time passes, pressure and chemical reactions will transform the remains into a fossil. Organisms would need to be buried quickly after dying in order for a fossil to form because they may decay (decompose/break down) or other organisms may eat them before they get a chance to fossilize.
How does water help fossilization?
Most dinosaur fossils are formed when water enters the empty space in the organism. The minerals in the water then harden and form rock. Much of the organism's organic material is still intact. Some other fossils are formed when the minerals in the water replace the structures of the organism's remains. No original organic matter remains.
What different types of fossilization are there?
There are many different ways that fossilization can occur. Each process is different, based on the type of material and conditions present. Two types of fossilization are unaltered preservation and carbonization. Unaltered preservation occurs when organisms are preserved in a substance, such as amber, ice or tar. The entire organism is preserved because the substance keeps the tissue from decaying. All living things contain carbon. When an organism dies, carbon is the last substance that remains. Sometimes, this carbon leaves behind a film on rock in the outline of the organism. This process is called carbonization.
As an ancient organism dies, their bones are quickly covered with sediment, and over time, more sediment piles up on top of the bones. In order for fossils to form, the remains must become buried quickly after death occurs, the remains must be covered with layers of sediment, dissolved minerals in water must fill in tiny spaces in the bones, and as time passes, pressure and chemical reactions will transform the remains into a fossil. Organisms would need to be buried quickly after dying in order for a fossil to form because they may decay (decompose/break down) or other organisms may eat them before they get a chance to fossilize.
How does water help fossilization?
Most dinosaur fossils are formed when water enters the empty space in the organism. The minerals in the water then harden and form rock. Much of the organism's organic material is still intact. Some other fossils are formed when the minerals in the water replace the structures of the organism's remains. No original organic matter remains.
What different types of fossilization are there?
There are many different ways that fossilization can occur. Each process is different, based on the type of material and conditions present. Two types of fossilization are unaltered preservation and carbonization. Unaltered preservation occurs when organisms are preserved in a substance, such as amber, ice or tar. The entire organism is preserved because the substance keeps the tissue from decaying. All living things contain carbon. When an organism dies, carbon is the last substance that remains. Sometimes, this carbon leaves behind a film on rock in the outline of the organism. This process is called carbonization.