The process of fossilization

The process of fossilization is the transformation of WHAT organisms into a WHAT

The process of fossilization is the transformation of DEAD organisms into a FOSSIL

Not all the living organisms or organisms that once had lived on earth will be/were transformed into WHAT

Not all the living organisms or organisms that once had lived on earth will be/were transformed into FOSSIL

The process of fossilization is highly WHAT

The process of fossilization is highly DESTRUCTIVE

Conditions for fossilization

• The organism must be WHAT rapidly; there should be either a WHAT burial (eg landslide) or there is a high rate of sedimentation within the WHAT

• WHAT conditions (dissolved H2S, CO2, CH4, NH3 etc) at the bottom of the sedimentary basin increases the fossilization potential

Conditions for fossilization

• The organism must be BURIED rapidly; there should be either a SUDDEN burial (eg landslide) or there is a high rate of sedimentation within the BASIN

• ANOXIC conditions (dissolved H2S, CO2, CH4, NH3 etc) at the bottom of the sedimentary basin increases the fossilization potential

Kind of CASUAL fossilization:

• WHAT, WHAT, WHAT

• WHAT

• WHAT

• WHAT

• WHAT

• WHAT

• WHAT

Kind of CASUAL fossilization:

• Petrification, Lithification, Permineralization

• Recrystalization

• Carbonization

• Moldic fossilization

• Replacement

• Impressions

• Impregnation

Kinds of high-quality fossilization

• WHAT

• WHAT

• WHAT

• WHAT

Kinds of high-quality fossilization

• Fossilization in amber

• Fossilization in tar pit

• Congealment

• Dehydration (desiccation)

Petrification, Lithification, Permineralization

• occurs in the case of the fossils that present a WHAT internal structure (eg, vertebrate bones, tree trunks)

Petrification, Lithification, Permineralization

• occurs in the case of the fossils that present a POROUS internal structure (eg, vertebrate bones, tree trunks)

Lithification

transformation of the hard body parts into stony material (transform into rocks)

Permineralization

Pore filling with different minerals

Petrification

Involves the occurrence of both lithification and permineralization

Recrystallization

Transformation of one mineral of the hard body parts into another

Recrystalization

The most frequent recrystallization is that in which WHAT is transformed into WHAT; this process is also referred to as WHAT

Recrystalization

The most frequent recrystallization is that in which ARAGONITE is transformed into CALCITE; this process is also referred to as CALCIFICATION

Carbonization

• The life forms on Earth have the elemental composition dominated by the WHAT elements; to them, WHAT and WHAT occur in smaller proportions; the rest of the naturally occurring elements are mostly encountered as traces

• Elements are expelled during the WHAT and maturation processes of the WHAT matter

Carbonization

• The life forms on Earth have the elemental composition dominated by the CHON elements; to them, S and P occur in smaller proportions; the rest of the naturally occurring elements are mostly encountered as traces

• Elements are expelled during the BURIAL and maturation processes of the ORGANIC matter (graphite)

Moldic fossilization

• Involves the complete or partial removal of the original material of the WHAT parts

• An empty space is formed within the WHAT rock, which basically is a WHAT sediment

• The driving process is that of WHAT

Moldic fossilization

• Involves the complete or partial removal of the original material of the HARD BODY parts

• An empty space is formed within the SEDIMENTARY rock, which basically is a LITHIFIED sediment

• The driving process is that of DISSOLUTION

Replacement

• The empty space resulted from moldic fossilization is filled with a newly WHAT, frequently resulting in spectacular fossils

Replacement

• The empty space resulted from moldic fossilization is filled with a newly PRECIPITATED MINERAL, frequently resulting in spectacular fossils

Replacement:

• Pyritization is one case of replacement in which empty space is filled with WHAT

Replacement:

• Pyritization is one case of replacement in which empty space is filled with PYRITE

Impressions:

• Fossils that are produced by a WHAT organisms in WHAT due to its weight and that of the sediment added on top of it during the process of WHAT matter decay

Impressions:

• Fossils that are produced by a DEAD organisms in SOFT SEDIMENT due to its weight and that of the sediment added on top of it during the process of ORGANIC matter decay

Impregnation

• Impregnation occurs when the body of a dead organism is WHAT shortly after death with a substance from the surrounding environment; WHAT is one such substances

• Occasionally, the impregnation can begin as the organism is still alive and eventually represents the cause of death

Impregnation

• Impregnation occurs when the body of a dead organism is IMPREGNATED shortly after death with a substance from the surrounding environment; CaCO3 is one such substances

• Occasionally, the impregnation can begin as the organism is still alive and eventually represents the cause of death

Fossilization in amber

• amber is a natural WHAT with high WHAT

• No WHAT

Fossilization in amber

• Amber is a natural RESIN with high VISCOSITY

• No DNA

Fossilization in tar pit

• Fossilization happens in tar swamps, where WHAT from the Earth’s interior reaches the surface

Fossilization in tar pit

• Fossilization happens in tar swamps, where HYDROCARBONS from the Earth’s interior reaches the surface

Fossil Lagerstätten

• High-quality preservation through casual fossilization processes in which the WHAT parts are often preserved

• These “fossils" ores” are paramount to reconstructing the life history and WHAT on Earth

• There are known about WHAT fossil Lagerstätten

Fossil Lagerstätten

• High-quality preservation through casual fossilization processes in which the SOFT BODY parts are often preserved

• These “fossils" ores” are paramount to reconstructing the life history and EVOLUTION on Earth

• There are known about 100 fossil Lagerstätten