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How does paleontology relate to geology?
Paleontology has been a central part of geology since British scientist William Smith first showed that geological strata could be identified based on the fossils they contained. Fossils also helped shift our view of the age of Earth and of life itself from thousands of years to thousands of millions of years.
Why is knowledge of geology important to paleontologists?
Paleontologists use fossil remains to understand different aspects of extinct and living organisms. Individual fossils may contain information about an organism’s life and environment. Studying oyster fossils can help paleontologists discover how long the oyster lived, and in what conditions.
Why are geological maps important?
Geologic mapping is vitally important to education, science, business and a wide variety of public policy concerns. For example, geologic maps help us assess the likelihood, prepare for, and minimize damage from natural hazards. Geologic maps identify fault zones, some of which are still active and cause earthquakes.
What do geologic maps tell us?
A geologic map shows the distribution of materials at or near the Earth’s surface. Geologists measure features where outcrop or surficial materials are exposed, then infer geologic contacts based on these measurements. A variety of lines, symbols, and text convey information in the form of a geologic map.
What are the benefits of being a paleontologist?
Paleontologists employed in government-funded institutions, universities, and private research firms can expect good perks, including paid leaves, medical and life insurance, and other allowances.
How does a paleontologist help the community?
Paleontology is the study of the history of life. Because that history is written in the fossil and geological record, paleontology allows us to place living organisms in both evolutionary (life-historical) and geological (earth-historical) context. Determining the evolutionary identity of living and past organisms.
How do fossils help scientists?
Fossils help researchers learn about plants and animals that existed long ago, having since faced extinction or evolution to modern species. Scientists can put together how the plant or animal looked based on its skeletal structure, discover what the animals ate, and where they lived and how they died.
Why are paleontologists important?
They are a tangible connection to life, landscapes, and climates of the past. They show us how life, landscapes, and climate have changed over time and how living things responded to those changes. Those lessons are particularly important as modern climate continues to change. All fossils are irreplaceable!