The Principle of Fossil Succession

The Principle of Fossil Succession states that groups of fossils appear in a specific and predictable order throughout Earth's history. As rocks form over millions of years, the types of fossils found within them change in a consistent sequence. This allows scientists to determine the relative age of rocks and understand Earth's geological history by examining the fossils contained within them. Essentially, fossil species succeed each other in a recognizable pattern, reflecting the evolution and extinction of organisms over time.