From different types of rock, our planet Earth can and does reveal certain information about its past. Showing what was living in other periods of time. To better understand l have given a brief meaning of the the 3 rocks that make up the earths crust. They are the Sedimentary, Igneous and the Metamorphic.
The Sedimentary rock is formed of sand mud or grit and gravel, which collect as layers and over time is compressed to form a solid mass.
Igneous rock is formed from molten material form inside the earth that cools and solidifies.
Metamorphic rock is formed when Sedimentary or Igneous rock are highly compressed and undergo extreme heating deep beneath the earth that cools very slowly then changes into this type of rock.
So from all these types of rock the Sedimentary is the most important to fossil experts, simply because it is the most likely of all to contain fossils. Fossils play a very important part for experts scientists, and geologists, in that they provide vital data in determining the age of, or how long ago certain creatures or plant life existed.
This data is collected and gathered together then translated into what is known as a geological chart comprising of divisions called Periods and Eras. An example of this would be the Jurassic period in the Mesozoic era. Fossils may found in an outcrop, some of these are man made where we dig up the earth searching for rocks and minerals, creating quarries. These areas can be ideal hunting grounds for finding fossils.
Some of the most interesting and spectacular finds are those of Vertebrates, and as a matter of interest , Dinosaurs are in this group. It is not likely though that you will find any whole remains of these creatures, although if ones luck prevails you may find part of vertebrates bones or tooth.
In summary if we didn't have fossils embedded in our earths crust then l would imagine we would know very little of our planets past. We probably wouldn't even know what dinosaurs looked like, and so the earth in this category would still be an amazing and an absolute mystery.
By John Michael White
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