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Igneous rocks are formed from magma and were - at one time - hot enough to melt, then they often moved all over the place, once molten. Any fossil would have burned away or disintegrated by the movement. Organisms do not normally survive intact because of the intense temperatures.

Fossils are most unlikely to be found in igneous rocks because they cannot survive through the process of formation of magma.

Most fossils are preserved plant or animal bodies living in or near water. There are no animals or plants which can live in molten magma so you will never find them in cooled magma, which is an igneous rock. There are however, exceptions. For example, where a lava flow covers a tree. The tree is burnt but the impression of it remains in the rock.

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7y ago
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5mo ago

Igneous rocks form from the cooling and solidification of molten rock, such as magma or lava. The high temperatures during this process typically destroy any pre-existing fossils that may have been present in the original rock. Additionally, the fast cooling of molten rock does not provide ideal conditions for the preservation of fossils.

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12y ago

Igneous rock does not contain fossils because igneous rock is solidified lava, or lava that has cooled and hardend into rock. So since lava is really hot, the organism that wanders into it will be burned bones and all. That's why there are no fossils in igneous rock.

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13y ago

Fossils are the remains or impressions of living creatures or plants. Living things cannot exist in molten magma, which is what igneous rocks were before they cooled.

Metamorphic rocks do not contain fossils as they were buried, heated and put under great pressure which would remove any traces of once living organisms.

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14y ago

== == Igneous rocks are formed from magma. Organisms do not normally survive intact because of the intense temperatures. There are exceptions however. See the related link below.

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13y ago

Ms Whitty my science teacher and she says that the high temperature of the molten rock from which igneous rock forms destroys any trace of plants or animals

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13y ago

No. Igneous rocks do not contain fossils, because fossils cannot withstand the temperature during melting process, that leads to the formation of magma.

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12y ago

Igneous rock was formed from cooling lava. Any organic matter that could have become fossilized would have melted.

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8y ago

Any remains of organisms that come in contact with molten rock will be destroyed.

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14y ago

because its made from lava.

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Q: Why don't igneous rocks form fossils?
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What types of rocks contain fossils?

Igneous rocks and most metamorphic rocks, of an igneous origin.


Does igneous sedimentary and metamorphic rocks contain fossils?

Igneous rocks do not typically contain fossils because they form from molten material. Sedimentary rocks are the most likely to contain fossils, as they are formed from the accumulation of sediment where organisms can become buried and preserved. Metamorphic rocks, which are formed under high heat and pressure, can sometimes contain fossils that have undergone significant changes.


Why are there no index fossils in the granite and basalt?

Granite and basalt are both igneous rocks - they are formed from magma extruded into another rock layer or from expulsion from a volcano. The heat of the cooling rock would completely melt any fossils they came into contact with and destroy them, so you don't see fossils in these rocks.


Why are most fossils found in sedimentary rock such as shall and limestone rather than igneous and metamorphic rock?

Sedimentary rocks form in layers where dead organisms can get buried and preserved, making them more likely to contain fossils. In contrast, igneous and metamorphic rocks form from molten material or high pressure/temperature conditions that typically erase any traces of fossils. This is why fossils are mostly found in sedimentary rock.


Do all rocks form fossils?

No, not all rocks can form fossils. Fossils are typically formed in sedimentary rocks through a process of burial, compaction, and mineralization of organic material. Igneous and metamorphic rocks, which form from molten magma and high-pressure conditions, are less likely to preserve fossils.

Related questions

Are fossils an important component of igneous rock?

No, fossils are typically found in sedimentary rocks, not igneous rocks. Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation and compaction of sediments, which can preserve fossils, while igneous rocks form from the cooling and solidification of molten rock, where fossils are usually destroyed.


ARE Fossils always found in igneous rocks?

No, fossils are typically found in sedimentary rocks rather than igneous rocks. Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation and lithification of sediments, making them more likely to preserve fossils due to their layered nature. Igneous rocks, on the other hand, form from the cooling and solidification of molten rock and are less likely to contain fossils.


Does lamprophyre form fossils?

A lamprophyre is a type of ultramafic intrusive igneous rock. It is very rare for fossils to be formed in igneous rocks (and they usually only form as mold fossils in extrusive deposits). As such fossils will not form in lamprophyres.


Why do rock fossils form in sedimentary rock and not in igneous rock?

because sedimentary rocks are on the top layer, while igneous rocks are were the magma is


Do igneous rocks usually contain fossils?

Igneous rocks are formed from cooling and solidifying of molten rock, so they usually do not contain fossils. This is because fossils are typically found in sedimentary rocks, which form from the accumulation of sediment and organic materials, preserving the remains of plants and animals.


Why do rock fossils form in sedimentary rock and not in igneous rock-?

Fossils are formed in sedimentary rock because the rock is formed at temperatures that do not destroy the fossils like the igneous rocks would.


What types of rocks contain fossils?

Igneous rocks and most metamorphic rocks, of an igneous origin.


Why do rock fossils form in sedimantry rock and not in igneous rock?

Fossils usually form when the remains of an organism are buried gently under sediments which later turn into stone. Intrusive igneous rocks form at depths within Earth where no life is found. Extrusive igneous (volcanic) rocks are so hot when they are deposited that any remains of organisms are usually incinerated. Fossils do occur in volcanic rocks, but very rarely.


Does igneous sedimentary and metamorphic rocks contain fossils?

Igneous rocks do not typically contain fossils because they form from molten material. Sedimentary rocks are the most likely to contain fossils, as they are formed from the accumulation of sediment where organisms can become buried and preserved. Metamorphic rocks, which are formed under high heat and pressure, can sometimes contain fossils that have undergone significant changes.


Why are there no index fossils in the granite and basalt?

Granite and basalt are both igneous rocks - they are formed from magma extruded into another rock layer or from expulsion from a volcano. The heat of the cooling rock would completely melt any fossils they came into contact with and destroy them, so you don't see fossils in these rocks.


Which of these can form fossils bones and leaves skin hair and muscles composite rocks and plants igneous and sedimentary rocks?

Bones, skin, hair, and muscles can form fossils within sedimentary rocks when the remains are buried and undergo a process called fossilization. Leaves can also form fossils in sedimentary rocks through a similar process. Igneous rocks, being formed from molten magma, are less likely to preserve fossils. Plants can form fossils through a process called carbonization, where their structures are preserved in sedimentary rocks.


Why are most fossils found in sedimentary rock such as shall and limestone rather than igneous and metamorphic rock?

Sedimentary rocks form in layers where dead organisms can get buried and preserved, making them more likely to contain fossils. In contrast, igneous and metamorphic rocks form from molten material or high pressure/temperature conditions that typically erase any traces of fossils. This is why fossils are mostly found in sedimentary rock.