Question

A sedimentary rock containing a fern fossil has been found. What does this tell you about the area at the time the rock was formed

A the area was cold
B the area was hot
C the area was on land
D the area was covered by an ocean

Answer 1

A sedimentary rock with a fern fossil indicates that the area was on land when the rock was formed, as ferns are terrestrial plants. The presence of terrestrial plant fossils provides clear evidence of past environmental conditions, distinguishing from marine fossils like oyster shells that suggest former oceanic environments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The discovery of a sedimentary rock containing a fern fossil tells us that the area where the rock was formed was likely on land. This inference is due to ferns being land-based plants; thus, their presence suggests that the region would have had to be above water for the ferns to grow and subsequently be fossilized. In comparison to marine fossils, such as oyster shells found in sedimentary environments indicating former ocean coverage, ferns unequivocally point towards a terrestrial habitat during the time the rock was formed.

Regarding temperature, while ferns can exist in a range of climates, the mere presence of a fern fossil does not provide definitive evidence of the climate being specifically hot or cold. Additionally, sedimentary rocks on Earth have been formed under various conditions, including volcanic activity, which contributes to the layers and composition of the Earth's surface. The key takeaway is that the fossilized fern indicates that the area had terrestrial features rather than being covered by an ocean.

Answer 2

The fern is a vascular plant that reproduces by producing spores. This plant produces no fruits or seeds. The ferns have complex leaves, and have true stems and roots. The presence of a fern fossil in a sedimentary rock indicates that the rock present on the land. The fern plants are found above the land, and this rock must have been present there for it to contain the fern fossil.

Hence, The correct answer is 'Option C - the area was on land'.