Place Based Project
Rancho La Brea Tar Pits
In Victoria, Australia these limestone pillars called the “twelve apostles” have been created by the action of waves crashing against the limestone pillars. Waves have a similar effect on fossils.
Rainwater can become slightly acidic by absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and this reacts with the mineral grains in the rock. Here are before and after pictures of a statue that has been weathered in this way. Current hypotheses claim that an asteroid triggered an acid rain during the Cretaceous period.
Biological weathering takes place when rocks are worn away by living organisms. Trees and other plants can grow within the cracks in a rock formation and tiny organisms like bacteria, algae and moss can grow on rocks, producing chemicals which can break down the surface layer.
In Victoria, Australia these limestone pillars called the “twelve apostles” have been created by the action of waves crashing against the limestone pillars. Waves have a similar effect on fossils.
Waves, rain, wind, sun, etc. can also hurt the fossilization process. Let's look at some examples.
Environment:
A factor that prevents fossils from being well-preserved
We now know the ways the environment can prevent fossils from being well-preserved.
Click on one of the links below to take you back to main fossilization page or to 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.