Question

the people of the city of pompeii were trapped and covered by volcanic ash in 79 a.d. their bodies degraded away after the ash hardened. what type of fossil was created of the people and animals of pompeii? petrified replacement original remain mold & cast

Explanation:

To determine the fossil type, we analyze each option:

• Petrified fossils involve minerals replacing organic matter, not applicable here as bodies degraded.
• Replacement fossils also involve mineral replacement of organic material, not the case here.
• Original Remain fossils preserve the original organism, but the bodies of Pompeii's people and animals degraded, so this is incorrect.
• Mold & Cast fossils form when an organism leaves an impression (mold) that is later filled (cast). The volcanic ash hardened around the bodies, which then degraded, leaving a mold that could be filled (or the hardened ash itself acted as a cast - like structure of the original shape). This matches the scenario of Pompeii's victims.

Answer:

D. Mold & Cast