Which rock type commonly contains fossils and forms from sediments?

Which rock type commonly contains fossils and forms from sediments?

• A. Sedimentary
• B. Metamorphic
• C. Igneous
• D. Clastic

Answer: (A)

Fossils are typically preserved in rocks that form from accumulating sediments. Sedimentary rocks develop when particles settle out of water or wind, layer over layer, and become compacted and cemented together. This setting often buries organisms quickly enough to leave behind clues like shells, bones, or imprints, which become fossils as the rock lithifies. In contrast, metamorphic rocks form under high heat and pressure, which generally destroys fossils, and igneous rocks form from cooling magma or lava, which also disrupts any fossil material. Clastic describes a texture of sedimentary rocks made from fragments, but the broader category that most commonly contains fossils and originates from sediment deposition is sedimentary rock.

Fossils are typically preserved in rocks that form from accumulating sediments. Sedimentary rocks develop when particles settle out of water or wind, layer over layer, and become compacted and cemented together. This setting often buries organisms quickly enough to leave behind clues like shells, bones, or imprints, which become fossils as the rock lithifies. In contrast, metamorphic rocks form under high heat and pressure, which generally destroys fossils, and igneous rocks form from cooling magma or lava, which also disrupts any fossil material. Clastic describes a texture of sedimentary rocks made from fragments, but the broader category that most commonly contains fossils and originates from sediment deposition is sedimentary rock.