Explain why oil is called a fossil fuel.

Oil is referred to as a fossil fuel because it is derived from fossils.

Fossil fuels are the result of dinosaur remains being put under pressure for millions of years.

Fossil fuels are called so because they have been derived from fossils, which were formed millions of years ago during the time of the dinosaurs. They are fossilized organic remains that over millions of years have been converted to oil, gas, and coal ... These fuels are made up of decomposed plant and animal matter.