Which type of rock would be the most likely to contain a fossil? A. quartz B. obsidian C. pumice D. sandstone
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: D. sandstone
Explanation:
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived in the past. They are most commonly found in sedimentary rocks, which form from the accumulation and compression of sediments such as sand, silt, and clay. These rocks typically form in layers over long periods in environments like rivers, lakes, and oceans where organisms once lived and died. When these organisms were buried quickly by sediments, their remains could be preserved before decaying entirely. Over time, these layers hardened into sedimentary rock, often trapping the remains of plants and animals within them.
Among the options provided, sandstone is a type of sedimentary rock. It is composed mainly of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments. Because sandstone forms from the gradual accumulation of sediments in water-rich environments, it has a high potential for containing fossils. The gentle processes involved in sedimentary rock formation help preserve the delicate structures of organisms, making fossils more likely to form and survive in these rocks.
On the other hand, quartz is a mineral, not a rock type, and is not typically associated with fossil preservation. Obsidian and pumice are both igneous rocks that form from volcanic activity. Obsidian is a glassy volcanic rock that cools rapidly from lava, and pumice is a light, porous rock that forms during explosive volcanic eruptions. The intense heat and rapid cooling processes involved in the formation of these igneous rocks destroy any biological material, making it extremely unlikely for fossils to be present in them.
In summary, sandstone is the most likely to contain fossils because it forms in environments where organisms lived and were buried by sediment, and because its formation conditions are favorable for fossil preservation.
