How do tar pits form fossils?
Rancho La Brea in Los Angeles, California, has more than 100 pits filled with sticky asphalt or tar. The formation of these tar pits occurred when crude oil began seeping through fissures in the earth. According to Fossils-Facts-and-Finds, the lighter elements of the oil evaporated, leaving behind asphalt, a perfect preservative for fossils.FossilsThe San Diego Natural History Museum describes fossils as “the remains and/or traces of prehistoric life.”Prehistoric AnimalsThese asphalt seeps were “hazardous places” for prehistoric animals to roam, explains the La Brea Exploration Guide. The wandering animals would “unknowingly venture into the camouflaged asphalt” and become easy prey for predators and scavengers.Meal TimeThe La Brea Exploration Guide goes on to describe how predators like the dire wolves and saber-toothed tigers would then attack these trapped animals; sometimes becoming trapped themselves and a meal for scavengers.RemainsAfter a while, the animal remains began to decay
