In creation science, this term is used to describe fossils of single organisms (such as tree trunks) that run through several geological strata. Entire "fossil forests" have been discovered.
Creation Science Position
The creation science position is that the strata must have been laid down in rapid succession, rather than millions of years apart. In some cases, the worldwide Flood from the Bible is presented as a possible explanation. [1]
Mainstream Geology Position
In mainstream Geology, such fossils are referred to as upright fossils and are considered explainable using currently existing theories of rock deposition. Geologists have long accepted that some strata are formed very quickly, while others are separated by enormous spans of time. Polystrate fossils, then, would merely be fossils which were buried very quickly either by one large depositional event or by several smaller ones. Depending on the cirumstance, the fossil may have been buried in situ, or it may have been transported before it's burial. Mainstream Geologists see no need to invoke a global flood to explain this data.
External links
Creationist-
Mainstream Geological-
