Fossilization is the process where the remains or traces of organisms are preserved in rocks. It typically occurs in the following steps:
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Death: The organism dies and its remains are buried quickly to prevent decay and scavenging.
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Decay: Soft tissues decay relatively quickly, but hard parts like bones or shells may remain.
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Permineralization: Minerals from surrounding rocks seep into the remaining hard parts, replacing the original material with minerals like silica or calcite.
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Compression: Over time, sediment builds up above the remains, putting pressure on them and causing them to harden into rock.
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Cementation: Minerals in groundwater fill in any gaps in the rock, further preserving the remains.
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Exposure: Erosion or human activity may expose these fossilized remains, allowing them to be discovered by paleontologists.
This process can take millions of years, and not all organisms become fossilized. Factors like the environment, burial conditions, and the composition of the organism all play a role in whether fossilization occurs.
