Fossil Formation and Dating Methods

Process of preserving plant or animal remains as fossils in rocks

Preserved part or trace of ancient plant or animal, found in rock

Rock formed from layers of sediment, often containing fossils

Method to calculate precise age of fossil using radioactive elements

Naturally occurring radioactive form of carbon used to date fossils

Rapid covering of an organism by sediment preventing decay and preserving remains

Layers of rock in earth strata which accumulate over time

Techniques used to determine the age of a fossil,e.g., absolute dating, relative dating

Naturally occurring, inorganic substance with a definite chemical composition and crystal structure.

Rock formed from cooled magma or lava.

Rock formed from compacted sediment layers.

Rock changed by heat, pressure, or chemicals.

Atoms forming a structured crystal pattern.

Outermost solid layer of Earth, including continents & oceans.

Semi-fluid layer below the crust, allowing plate movement.

Thick layer between crust and core, silicate rich.

Outer core is liquid iron/nickel, inner core is solid iron/nickel.

Igneous rock formed from cooled lava on the surface.

Igneous rock formed from cooled magma below the surface.

Breaking down rocks and minerals.

Movement of soil and rock by wind/water/ice.

Minerals binding sediment particles together.

Squeezing sediment to reduce volume and increase density.