What are Fossils and Why are they Important?

Fossil Basics: What is a fossil?

The preserved remains or evidence of a living organism from the past, usually found in rock

Fossil Basics: What two main types of fossils exist?

Body fossils and trace fossils

Fossil Basics: In what type of rock are fossils usually preserved?

Sedimentary rocks

Fossil Basics: What is a body fossil?

Preserved remains of the actual organism such as bones, shells, or leaves

Fossil Basics: What is a trace fossil?

Evidence of an organism’s activity such as footprints, burrows, or trails

Importance of Fossils: Why are fossils important for evolution?

They provide physical evidence that life is ancient and has changed over time

Importance of Fossils: Why are fossils important for paleoenvironment studies?

They help scientists understand past environments and climate conditions

Importance of Fossils: Why are fossils important to the geologic timescale?

The appearance and disappearance of organisms helps divide Earth's history into time periods

Importance of Fossils: What is correlation in geology?

Matching rock layers of the same age in different places using fossils

Importance of Fossils: Example of fossil correlation?

The same fossil found in New York and Africa indicates rocks of the same age