Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: AJF86 on 07/09/2010 00:16:10

Title: What is the Rate of Fossilization?
Post by: AJF86 on 07/09/2010 00:16:10

Say that 100 humans (or whatever animal) were to perish simultaneously.  How many of them would become fossilized?

Title: What is the Rate of Fossilization?
Post by: tommya300 on 07/09/2010 01:14:23

Quote from: AJF86 on 07/09/2010 00:16:10

Say that 100 humans (or whatever animal) were to perish simultaneously.  How many of them would become fossilized?

If all 100 humans (or whatever animal) were to perish simultaneously, and they were in the same pile either 99.9% or non will fossilize.
If a lava flow flooded them it may be different

Title: What is the Rate of Fossilization?
Post by: Evie on 14/09/2010 16:09:26

First of all, you need very specific conditions for fossilization to occur.

Secondly, almost all fossils are formed in sedimentary rock (so a lava flow wouldn't help you at all; it would just destroy the organic material).

If the 100 bodies were all in the same place at the same time (basically assuming under the perfect conditions for fossilization), then they would fossilize at basically the same rate. This is usually a process that occurs over millions of years.

You could also preserve the bodies by dessication (drying out, basically mummified) or freezing (like a mammoth), though. Again, very specific conditions are needed.