Re: fossilization and floods

[Stanley Friesen <sarima@ix.netcom.com>]

At 12:41 PM 3/18/98 +0000, hicks@mail.eden.com wrote:
>       I was watching an old videotaped NOVA (about T-rex) recently 
>when a thought occurred to me.  For an animal as big as a dinosaur 
>to become a fossil, it has to be buried fast enough that scavangers 
>can't get to it.

Actually, no it doesn't.  Many dinosaur bones show evidence of post-mortem
scavenging.  All that is necessary is that it be buried before it can be
completely broken down.

>  Am I correct in thinking that these conditions usually 
>only occur in floods?

This is the most common way for land animals.

Also, death in a swamp can lead to prolonging the decay period, and gradual
burial in silt.

Then there is quicksand and other quagmires, and sandbars may grow in
extent even between floods, and so bury bones on them.

>Gobi dinos that buried by collapsing sand banks), but my point is 
>that a majority of fossils of large animals are created by floods.  
>Am I right or wrong?

Maybe.  I am not sure how common sandbar burial is.

--------------
May the peace of God be with you.         sarima@ix.netcom.com
                                          sfriesen@netlock.com