Explore the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator
Bury an organism and control burial depth, oxygen exposure and time to see it fossilize through compaction and mineral replacement.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator?
Bury an organism and control burial depth, oxygen exposure and time to see it fossilize through compaction and mineral replacement, then read the sediment layers using relative dating. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Paleontologists use these same burial and preservation principles, plus superposition, to build the geological time scale and reconstruct ancient environments.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Low oxygen slows decay, which is why anoxic mud, tar and amber preserve fossils so well.
Fast, deep burial protects remains from scavengers and weathering before fossilization can begin.
Permineralization replaces original material with minerals from groundwater, molecule by molecule.
Set oxygen exposure low and burial depth high, then advance time to watch the preservation chance rise.
Advance geological time and watch new sediment layers stack up above the fossil layer.
Compare a slow, oxygen-rich burial to a fast, low-oxygen one.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Teachers
For teachers: project the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Advance geological time and watch new sediment layers stack up above the fossil layer. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What is an index fossil?
A fossil species that lived briefly but spread widely, so finding it in rock layers at different locations lets geologists match those layers to the same age.
Why do some organisms fossilize and others don't?
Fossilization needs quick burial and low decay conditions; most organisms simply decompose completely before any of this can happen.
Is the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator free to use?
Yes. The Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Geology group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 6 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator?
1. In the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator, use the controls to change Burial depth, Sedimentation rate, Oxygen exposure, Pressure, Temperature, and more. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator, press "Bury a new organism" to start, reset or change what is happening. 3. Start with this experiment: Set oxygen exposure low and burial depth high, then advance time to watch the preservation chance rise. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator responds in real time. 4. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Low oxygen slows decay, which is why anoxic mud, tar and amber preserve fossils so well.
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Try the Fossil Formation & Geological Time Simulator now
Bury an organism and control burial depth, oxygen exposure and time to see it fossilize. Free to use.
Try it free