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Story: Fossils

Drill rig

Drill rig

Drill rigs exploring for oil and gas use microfossils to determine what rock they are drilling through. Tiny microfossils such as foraminifera can be used to identify and date different layers of rock, providing crucial information in the search for new sources of petroleum.

About this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN36369/20
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image

How to cite this page:

Hamish Campbell. 'Fossils', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 24-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/fossils/8/3