fossil record

The "fossil record" is crucial for understanding the history of life on Earth, showing how organisms have evolved over millions of years.

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Definition

C1Earth Sciences

(technical, academic)The collection of fossilized remains found in the Earth's crust, providing a chronological record of the history of life.

Example

  • The fossil record reveals the gradual evolution of species over millions of years.
  • Scientists use the fossil record to study ancient ecosystems and climate changes.

C1Paleontology

(technical, academic)The preserved evidence of past life forms, including their structure and evolution, found in sedimentary rocks.

Example

  • The fossil record of dinosaurs provides insights into their behavior and environment.
  • Paleontologists analyze the fossil record to understand extinction events.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "fossil record":

living fossil