Download Fossils, sedimentary environments, and geological time

Fossils, sedimentary environments, and
geological time
• Fossil
– Any trace of past life
• Fossil formation
– Mineralization - decays and organic
molecules are replaced with silica, calcite, or
iron, of combination of same.
Sedimentary environments
• Three kinds of rocks
– Igneous - cool from molten state
– Metamorphic - altered by temperature or
pressure
– Sedimentary - formed by accumulation and
cementation of mineral grains or chemical
precipitation.
Types of environments
• Fluvial - rivers and streams are the agents
of sedimentation
• Lacustrine - margins of lakes
• Eolian - wind
• Deltaic - river deltas in association with
marine environments
• Marine - ocean