As you visit the high desert of southeastern Arizona, you come to a flowing stream that disappears into the sand

Question

You notice that insects are flying up to the moist sand for a drink, but as the flow varies and waves of muddy water wash over the animals, fine soil particles cover them and entomb them. The beginnings of what process have you just witnessed, and what might the next steps be?

Answer 1

Commonly, fossilization occurs in this way: decay of soft parts; impregnation with minerals; pressure from additional, overlaying layers; and formation of solid rock. For discovery, most fossils must be exposed through uplift and erosion.