Fossils At A Glance

Fossils provide a powerful tool for the study of the nearly 4-billion-year history of life, and its role in the evolution of Earth systems. They also provide important data for evolutionary studies, and contribute to our understanding of the extinction of organisms and the origins of modern biodiversity. Fossils At A Glance is written for students taking an introductory level course in paleontology. Short chapters introduce the main topics in the modern study of fossils. The most important fossil groups are discussed, from microfossils through invertebrates to vertebrates and plants, followed by a brief narrative of life on Earth. Diagrams are central to the book and allow the reader to see most of the important data “at a glance”. Each topic covers two pages and provides a self-contained suite of information or a starting point for future study. This second edition has been thoroughly revised and brought up to date. It includes new line diagrams as well as photographs of selected fossils

Fossils provide a powerful tool for the study of the nearly 4-billion-year history of life, and its role in the evolution of Earth systems. They also provide important data for evolutionary studies, and contribute to our understanding of the extinction of organisms and the origins of modern biodiversity. Fossils At A Glance is written for students taking an introductory level course in paleontology. Short chapters introduce the main topics in the modern study of fossils. The most important fossil groups are discussed, from microfossils through invertebrates to vertebrates and plants, followed by a brief narrative of life on Earth. Diagrams are central to the book and allow the reader to see most of the important data “at a glance”. Each topic covers two pages and provides a self-contained suite of information or a starting point for future study. This second edition has been thoroughly revised and brought up to date. It includes new line diagrams as well as photographs of selected fossils

Paleontologists scour the earth in search of buried fossils that can help us understand what happened on Earth millions, and even billions, of years ago -- and what may happen in the future. Take a close-up look at more than 300 amazing specimens in Fossils. An in-depth examination of fossils, from preserved trees and grasses to mollusks, trilobites, fish, and dinosaurs, discovered on every continent. Each fossil is illustrated with a clear and detailed photograph, accompanied by informed, accessible text and a table of information featuring its scientific name, order and family, habitat, distribution, geological period, and dimensions. This essential book complements existing paleontology guides by providing a side-by-side comparison of the world's fossil types and makes an excellent pocket reference guide for students and general readers alike. Fossils complements existing paleontology guides by providing a side-by-side comparison of the world's fossil types and makes an excellent reference guide for both students and general readers.

This introduction offers an explanation of how fossils are a product of our evolving habitat. The emphasis is on what paleontology is really about, how the paleontologist tries to find out the ways in which fossil animals lived and how geological processes have interacted with the history of life.

One of the leading paleontologists of our time, examines what the fossilized remains of earth's ancient flora and fauna reveal about mass extinction and the origin of the species, and comes up with a revolutionary new theory that augments Darwin's. Enhanced with works by Murray Alcosser, one of America's most distinguished still-life nature photographers, Fossilsoffers a truly n ew and excting look at earth's earliest history. 160 full-color photos.

Fossils have fascinated humans for centuries. From the smallest diatoms to the largest dinosaurs, finding a fossil is an exciting and rewarding experience. But where did they come from, and how long have they been around? These and many other questions are answered in this remarkable book.

This book provides a simple and fun introduction to fossils, discussing different kinds of fossils, exploring how and why they have formed, how they have changed over time, their appearance and properties. With the help of some Rock Solid! facts that provide cool examples, the book will show you how amazing fossils can be: from the prehistoric woolly mammoth body in Siberia and dinosaur remains to petrified forests.