Fossils and Dinosaurs
Objectives:
I can describe the Utah fossils and explain how they were formed.
I can explain how fossils can be used to make inferences about past life, climate, geology, and environment.
I can describe the Utah fossils and explain how they were formed.
I can explain how fossils can be used to make inferences about past life, climate, geology, and environment.
Key points to remember:
- Fossils are rocks that show the remains of once-living plants or animals.
- Fossils are most often found in sedimentary rocks.
- There are three main types of fossils: track/impression fossils, mineral replacement fossils, and preserved organisms.
- A track or impression fossil is when there is evidence an organism was there such as a foot or body imprint.
- A mineral replacement fossil is created when an organism dies, the fleshy parts rot, and the holes are filled in with minerals that harden.
- A preserved organism is formed when an animal is trapped in tar, ice, or amber (fossilized tree sap).
- Scientists can use fossils to infer what past environments may have been like.
- Three hypotheses for the extinction of dinosaurs are: an asteroid impact, volcanic eruptions, and competition from mammals.
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Explore Paleontology: www.amnh.org/explore/ology/paleontology#all
Fossil Finder Game: pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/games/fossilfinder.html
Fossil Finder Game: pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/games/fossilfinder.html