Fossils and the rock cycle
I can describe the formation of fossils and how the rock cycle affects our fossil record.
Fossils and the rock cycle
I can describe the formation of fossils and how the rock cycle affects our fossil record.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Fossils are found in sedimentary rock, but not in other types of rock.
- Fossils are often the remains of living plants or animals.
- Bones buried in sedimentary rock can be very, very slowly dissolved by water and replaced by minerals in the water.
- Geological activities can break or completely destroy fossils.
Keywords
Fossil - The mineralised remains or impression of once–living organisms, or of traces left behind by organisms (e.g. skeletons, shells or impressions).
Mineral - An element or compound with a crystal–like structure. They are the 'building blocks' of rocks.
Sediment - A material deposited by water, wind or ice, such as pebbles or sand.
Sedimentary rock - A type of rock formed from the compression of sediments (rock fragments, minerals and remains of dead plants and animals).
Rock cycle - The gradual recycling of rocks over millions of years.
Common misconception
Pupils often interpret the rock cycle as the cause of rock formation.
Stress the rock cycle is a representation of relationships between the rock types. For rocks to change from one type to another requires specific conditions (i.e. igneous rock can change into metamorphic or melted into a different igenous rock).
Equipment
None required.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a natural, crystal-like structure
material deposited by water, wind, or ice
the mineralised remains or impression of once–living organisms
the process by which rocks are worn away and transported
Exit quiz
6 Questions
The mineralised remains or impressions of once-living organisms.
An element or compound with a crystal-like structure.
A material deposited by water, wind, or ice.
A type of rock formed from the compression of sediments.
The gradual recycling of rocks over millions of years.