GEOL 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Trace Fossil Classification, Ichnotaxon, Egg Fossil
Document Summary
Fossils represent any preserved evidence of past life. Can be classified by the evolutionary relationships of the organism. Can be classified by how it was preserved. Ichnotaxa- groups of trace fossils based o acting species and morphology. Diagenesis- the processes by which rocks form. When we"re specifically discussing fossils, we often call it fossilization. Original material- all or some of the original organic remains have been preserved. Original material- remains which have started to undergo diagenesis but have not yet completely fossilized, are called subfossils. Original material preservation usually occurs over short periods of time. Allows study of organic compounds, including dna. Recrystallization- some organic minerals are unstable at earth"s surface. Over time, their molecular structure changes into a more stable state. Replacement- the original organic material is replaced slowly, on a molecular level, with some other mineral. Permineralization- the naturally occurring voids in the original organic material are filled with some other mineral.
