Fossilization: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is again used broadly and interchangeably with the first 'fossilization,' referring to the same process of organic material preservation through mineral replacement or other means.

• The study examines the patterns of fossilization in marine organisms
• Over time, fossilization turns bones into stone, preserving their shape

Petrification refers specifically to the process where organic material is turned to stone, often through the deposition of minerals over time. This term is typically used when describing a more complete or obvious transformation into a stone-like state.

• The petrification of the tree trunks resulted in a spectacular forest of stone
• Petrification preserved the details of the once-living organism with remarkable clarity

Mineralization focuses specifically on the process by which organic matter is converted into a material with a mineral composition. This term is often used in both geological and biological contexts to describe how organisms or organic material become saturated with minerals.

• Mineralization often occurs when water containing minerals flows through organic material
• The mineralization of the plant tissue made it much harder and stone-like