Imagine that a layer of leaves is scattered along a forest floor; what must happen in order to preserve these leaves as fossils?
A) The leaves must be picked up by wind or animals and carried to a desert.
B) The leaves must be buried slowly so that the leaves can begin to rot.
C) The leaves must be buried rapidly in order to keep out oxygen.
D) The leaves will never be preserved as they do not contain hard parts.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In order to preserve leaves as fossils, they must be buried quickly and completely in sediment to prevent decomposition by oxygen and scavengers. This process is known as rapid burial. Slow burial (choice B) would allow for decomposition to occur, and transporting the leaves to a desert (choice A) would not guarantee preservation. Leaves do not have hard parts like bones or shells, but their impressions or carbonized remains can still be preserved as fossils (choice D is incorrect).

Imagine That a Layer of Leaves Is Scattered Along a Forest