GENERAL GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -When an organism is buried quickly, there is less decay and the better the chance for it to be preserved. The hard parts of organisms, such as bones, shells, and teeth have a better chance of becoming fossils than do softer parts.

Detailed explanation-2: -These include the intact remains of organisms and often include preserved skin, muscle, bone, hair and internal organs. Soft tissue fossils form in special circumstances that often need rapid burial and low oxygen environments that stop the organism from decomposing or being scavenged by other organisms.

Detailed explanation-3: -Almost all fossils are preserved in sedimentary rock. Organisms that live in topographically low places (such as lakes or ocean basins) have the best chance of being preserved. This is because they are already in locations where sediment is likely to bury them and shelter them from scavengers and decay.

Detailed explanation-4: -Nearly all fossils we find-around 99%-are from marine animals such as shellfish and sharks. This is because they lived in the sea, where sand or mud could bury their remains quickly after they died.

Detailed explanation-5: -A fossil is any evidence of prehistoric life (plant or animal) that is at least 10, 000 years old. The most common fossils are bones and teeth, but fossils of footprints and skin impressions exist as well.