fossilization

Fossils can preserve bones, shells, tracks, and other traces. This topic is part of Paleontology within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 5 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.

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fossilization trivia questions

Fossilization preserves evidence of what?

Answer: Past life

Bonus fact: Fossils can preserve bones, shells, tracks, and other traces.

Rapid burial improves the chance of fossilization by reducing what?

Answer: Decay and scavenging

Bonus fact: Burial protects remains from destruction.

What process replaces original biological material with minerals over time?

Answer: Permineralization

Bonus fact: Mineral-rich water fills pores and can harden remains.

Gaps in the fossil record exist partly because fossilization is what?

Answer: Rare

Bonus fact: Most organisms decay without becoming fossils.

What is taphonomy the study of?

Answer: What happens from an organism’s death until fossilization

Bonus fact: Rapid burial and hard body parts increase the odds that remains will enter the fossil record.

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