Fossil Formation through Replacement

Key Process

• Initial Burial: An organism is buried under sediment.
• Water Seepage: Water seeps through the sediment.
  • This water helps dissolve some of the hard parts of the organism.

Mineral Replacement

• Mineral Carriage: Minerals carried by water replace the parts of the organism that get dissolved.
• Resulting Fossil: The process leaves behind a fossil composed of minerals.
  • These minerals replace the original parts of the organism.

Outcome

• The final fossil is a mineralized version of the original organism, showcasing the structure while not retaining the original organic material.