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🦴 Fossil Formation & Dating

Fossilization process, stratigraphy & index fossils

Hover for layer info · Click to excavate a layer

Time: Present
Era: Cenozoic
Stage: Living Organisms
¹⁴C Remaining: 100 %

How Fossils Form

1. Death & burial: Organism dies and is quickly buried by sediment. 2. Permineralization: Minerals in groundwater fill cellular spaces. 3. Lithification: Sediment compresses into rock. 4. Exposure: Erosion or uplift brings fossil to surface. Index fossils (widespread, short-lived species) help date rock layers. Radiometric dating uses decay of isotopes like ¹⁴C and ⁴⁰K.