Place Based Project
Rancho La Brea Tar Pits
Once fossils are formed, they can be moved in many different ways. For example, they can be washed away by streams, moved by glaciers, carried by scavengers, or caught in rock slides.
If a fossil is buried by too much sediment it may become flattened or distorted beyond recognition. For example, this is the crushed remains of an ancient mammal skull.
This is similar to the factors we considered on the environment page, except transportation is involved.
Once fossils are formed, they can be moved in many different ways. For example, they can be washed away by streams, moved by glaciers, carried by scavengers, or caught in rock slides.
Even after being buried by sediment, the fossils are still not safe.
Earth's Forces:
A factor that can hurt fossils after preservation
We now know the ways a fossil can be destroyed after preservation.
Click on one of the links below to take you back to main fossilization page or another factor on our journey.
If this is the last leg of your journey, click on the review button to summarize what you have learned.