Could someone detail what actually happens when a creature becomes a fossil?
In: Geology
There are different kinds of fossils which happen in different ways:
* Preserved remains: The organism is trapped in a way that prevents the decay of the body (think: fly in amber)
* Perminilization: What most people think of as a fossil. The organism is trapped, but still decays. As it decays, it leaves empty spaces in the material that traps it. Mineralized water flows through those spaces, depositing the minerals which build up over time forming the fossil.
* Molds and Casts: Like above, but if those empty spaces are never filled, then it becomes a mold, if they are filled or partially filled with other things, then it becomes a cast.
* Replacement: Minerals in the existing specimen are replaced with other minerals.
* Compression: The organism is placed under such a high degree of pressure, it leaves an imprint on the surrounding material.
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