The fossil remains of organisms with skeletons are not found in the lowest layers of rock discovered. How is the lack of fossilized skeletons in the lowest rock layers best explained?

Organisms with skeletons did not evolve until after these rock layers formed.

The fossils of organisms with skeletons are only found in the oldest rocks.

Fossil skeletons are usually crushed if other rock layers are above the ones they are in.

Organisms with skeletons live only at the highest altitudes, which is where they turn to fossils.

Question

Lilian West

Geography

18 June, 17:07

The fossil remains of organisms with skeletons are not found in the lowest layers of rock discovered. How is the lack of fossilized skeletons in the lowest rock layers best explained?

Organisms with skeletons did not evolve until after these rock layers formed.

The fossils of organisms with skeletons are only found in the oldest rocks.

Fossil skeletons are usually crushed if other rock layers are above the ones they are in.

Organisms with skeletons live only at the highest altitudes, which is where they turn to fossils.

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Answers (1)

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Harding · Answer 1

The answer is the organism with skeletons did not evolve until after these rock layer formed.

Explanation:

The Earth is estimated to be 5.54 billion years old. The oldest rock discovered in the world is 5.4 billion years old. It took billions of years for the earth's crust to form and the atmosphere and water to settle in a suitable balance to allow for organisms with skeletons to grow. The oldest animals arrived much later, only 600 million years ago. Also, many metamorphic and igneous rocks are created underground and may not have any contact with organisms with skeletons.