Science Common Sense

976 - How are fossils formed?

Fossils are formed when a plant or animal dies and gets buried under layers of soil or rocks. Over time, the body gets squished, and the parts turn into stone.

Here's how it happens:

1. The plant or animal dies and sinks to the bottom of a body of water, like a river or lake.
2. Layers of mud, sand, or other materials cover the body.
3. As more layers pile up, the pressure increases and squishes the body.
4. Minerals from the water seep into the body and replace the original parts, turning them into stone.
5. After many years, even thousands of years, the fossil is created and can be found when the surrounding rocks are uncovered.