What are the 7 main types of fossils?
7 Main Types of Fossils
Fossils are preserved remains, impressions, or traces of ancient organisms. Scientists categorize them into several main types based on how they were formed:
- Permineralized Fossils: These form when minerals carried by water fill the spaces within organic tissue, hardening and preserving the structure. An example is petrified wood.
- Cast Fossils: Created when an organism leaves an impression in sediment, which then fills with minerals or sediments that harden into the shape of the organism.
- Mold Fossils: Occur when an organism is buried in sediment and then decays, leaving behind a hollow impression or cavity of its shape.
- Trace Fossils: These are records of an organism’s activity, such as footprints, burrows, or feces (coprolites), rather than parts of the organism itself.
- True Form Fossils: These are actual parts of the organism, like bones, teeth, shells, or leaves, preserved mostly unchanged.
- Carbon Film Fossils: Formed when an organism is compressed over time, leaving a thin film of carbon residue that outlines the organism on rock.
- Amber Fossils: These are organisms, typically small insects or plants, that have been trapped and preserved in tree resin that hardens into amber.
Together, these fossil types provide scientists with valuable information about past life and environments on Earth.