Discovering Fossils 11-30

Over time the rock is distorted and uplifted by geological forces associated with continental movement, raising it above sea level.

                                             Uplift and exposure
Many millions of years pass and the rock remains buried deep within the bedrock; however tectonic forces associated with the collision between neighbouring continental plates have begun to buckle and uplift the bedrock, raising it above sea level and exposing it to erosion. Gradually, the exposed rock is stripped away, until eventually the top of the fish's skull is visible at the surface.