CK12 Earth Science

Review Questions

1. What factors make it more likely that an animal will be preserved as a fossil?


2. What are the five main processes of fossilization?


3. A scientist wants to determine the age of a rock. The rock contains an index fossil and
   an ancient relative of a living fossil. Which fossil will be more useful for dating the
   rock, and why?


4. The island of Spitzbergen is in the Arctic Ocean north of Norway, near the North Pole.
   Fossils of tropical fruits have been found in coal deposits in Spitzbergen. What does
   this indicate?

Further Reading / Supplemental Links

• http://www.fossils-facts-and-finds.com/index.html


• http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/fossils/index.html


• http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/fossils/index.html


• http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythiccreatures


• http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythiccreatures/land/griffin.php


• http://www.tonmo.com/science/fossils/mythdoc/mythdoc.php


• http://www.geo.ucalgary.ca/~macrae/Burgess_Shale


• http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mesozoic/jurassic/solnhofen.html

Vocabulary

amber Fossilized tree sap.

body fossil The remains of an ancient organism. Examples include shells, bones, teeth,
and leaves.

cast A structure that forms when sediments fill a mold and harden, forming a replica of
the original structure.

fossil Any remains or trace of an ancient organism.

fossil fuel Afuelthatwasformedfromtheremainsofancientorganisms. Examplesinclude
coal, oil, and natural gas.

fossilization The process of becoming a fossil.