Many fossils are formed through a process called permineralization. First, an animal or plant dies and is buried in sediment. Over time, layers of sediment above it harden into sedimentary rock. The rock traps the animal or plant remains inside. Rainwater carries minerals through the layers and into the remains. Slowly, the minerals seep into gaps in the remains and harden to form rock. Eventually, the rock takes the same shape as the remains. This is more likely to happen if an organism is buried quickly, so it won’t be destroyed by wind, waves or sun or by scavengers or decomposers.
During permineralization, a bone will
A. trap a decomposer.
B. be destroyed by sun.
C. be exposed to scavengers.
D. be slowly filled in with minerals.