microfossil
Microscopic ancient remnant
A microfossil is a fossil too small to study without magnification—typically under one millimeter.
These include the preserved remains of microorganisms like foraminifera and diatoms, as well as tiny parts of larger organisms such as pollen, spores, and fish scales.
Microfossils are essential tools in geology for dating rock layers and reconstructing ancient environments: The core samples were rich in microfossils.
Containing or resembling quartz
- calcareousContainingite calcium carbonate chalk
- organicFrom living matter
- testEvaluative examination
- shellHard outer covering
skeleton · valve · chamber · wall · aperture · ornamentation · recrystallization · dissolution
Last Mesozoic period
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- coreCentral essential portion
- drillHole-boring device
sediment · limestone · shale · chert · mudstone · chalk · diatomite
Single-celled silica algae
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
- zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
Study of ancient organisms
- paleoecologyStudy of prehistoric ecosystems
- paleoclimatologyStudy of prehistoric climates
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
geochronology · assemblage · correlation · dating · classification · identification · extraction · preparation
Past geological climate conditions
- salinityDissolved mineral concentration
- productivityOutput relative to input
- upwellingDeep water rising surfaceward
- anoxiaAbsence of oxygen supply
extinction · evolution · biodiversity · reservoir · petroleum · proxy · indicator · reconstruction
siliceous
Containing or resembling quartz
- calcareousContainingite calcium carbonate chalk
- organicFrom living matter
- testEvaluative examination
shell · skeleton · valve · chamber · wall · aperture · ornamentation · recrystallization · dissolution · replacement
cretaceous
Last Mesozoic period
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- coreCentral essential portion
drill · sediment · limestone · shale · chert · mudstone · chalk · diatomite
diatoms
Single-celled silica algae
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- paleoecologyStudy of prehistoric ecosystems
- paleoclimatologyStudy of prehistoric climates
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
morphology · geochronology · assemblage · correlation · dating · classification · identification · extraction · preparation · mounting
paleoclimate
Past geological climate conditions
- salinityDissolved mineral concentration
- productivityOutput relative to input
- upwellingDeep water rising surfaceward
anoxia · extinction · evolution · biodiversity · reservoir · petroleum · proxy · indicator · reconstruction
microfossildinosaur bone
Petrified prehistoric reptile remains
dinosaur skeleton · mammoth tusk · ammonite · trilobite · dinosaur
microfossilliving cell