If the steps explained in Fossil Drying Processare not followed, the fossil may completely disappear or be unrecognizable.  The following experiment was conducted to demonstrate the rapid deterioration of a moist specimen which was left exposed to Colorado's dry air.

Day 0
Beginning of experiment with fresh fossil leaf (8/15/2002 )

Day 3
Leaf cuticle disappearing & block showing several cracks (8/18/2002 )
 

Day 6
Leaf nearly unrecognizable, cracks throughout matrix (8/21/2002 )

Day 9
Leaf gone, wind blew shattered pieces away (8/24/2002 )