fossil detectives
What is a fossil?
The remains or traces of living things from long ago.
In rock layers, which fossils are usually OLDER?
The fossils found deeper underground.
What causes the ground to shake during an earthquake?
Movement of Earth’s plates.
What happens when river water slowly carries soil away?
erosion
Why might scientists compare fossils from different layers?
To learn how living things changed over time.
A scientist finds a fossilized fish in a desert. What does this MOST likely tell us?
The area may have been underwater long ago.
Which fossil is younger?
The fossil in the top layer.
What comes out of a volcano during an eruption?
Lava, ash, and gases.
How can rivers change Earth’s surface?
they can carve valleys and move rocks and soil.
A fossil footprint is found. What can it tell scientists?
How the animal moved or behaved.
Why are fossils important to scientists?
They give evidence about plants, animals, and environments from the past.
Why do scientists study rock layers with fossils?
To understand the order of events in Earth’s history.
How can volcanoes change the land?
They can create new land and mountains.
Which changes land FASTER?
Earthquake.
Why are some fossils harder to find than others?
Some organisms did not fossilize easily or fossils were destroyed.
A fossil has sharp teeth and strong claws. What can scientists infer about the animal?
It may have been a meat-eater or predator.
A fossil is found under layers of volcanic ash. What does this tell scientists?
The organism lived before the volcanic eruption happened.
Which Earth force can crack roads and buildings suddenly?
earthquakes
How can heavy rain affect land near a river?
It can cause flooding and erosion.
How are earthquakes and volcanoes alike?
Both are caused by movement inside Earth and can change land quickly.
Two fossils are found:
What can scientists learn if both are found in the same place?
The environment changed over time. The area may have been underwater first and later became land.
Layer 1 → Fish fossils
Layer 2 → Plant fossils
Layer 3 → Dinosaur fossils
Which fossils are the oldest?
The fish fossils in Layer 1.
A town near a volcano suddenly becomes covered with ash.
How could this affect plants and animals?
Plants may die from lack of sunlight, and animals may lose food and shelter.
A river changes direction over many years.
How might this affect nearby land?
Some land may wear away while new soil is deposited in other places.
A scientist finds:
What Earth force MOST likely happened?
An earthquake.