Petrified wood: what is it? In essence, it is a fossil. Petrification is the process through which a tree or plant that resembles a tree turns into stone through mineralization. It happens when plant matter is buried by silt or volcanic ash and is shielded from decomposition by organisms and oxygen. The original plant material is then replaced by silica, calcite, pyrite, or another inorganic (but attractive) substance like opal as groundwater with high concentrations of dissolved solids passes through the sediment.
The original woody substance becomes a fossil as a result, frequently displaying retained characteristics of the bark, wood, and cellular structures. Naturally, it takes millions of years for that to occur.
Petrified wood with spectacular colors and full petrification is highly prized for lapidary work. It can be polished and used to make jewelry and many other crafts. Image credit: Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified wood is a three-dimensional depiction of the original organic material, in contrast to other plant fossils, which are often imprints or compressions. Some petrified wood specimens are so perfectly preserved that people don’t recognize they are fossils until they pick them up and are startled by how heavy they are. These specimens have very flawless preservation, which makes them uncommon. However, examples with easily visible wooden structures and bark are relatively common.
The images below serve as evidence that petrified wood is one of nature’s most stunning creations.
Petrified opal tree trunk located in Arizona (about 225 million years old). Source: Reddit
Petrified opal tree trunk located in Arizona (about 225 million years old). Source: Reddit
An accumulation of petrified logs in a gulley at Petrified Forest National Park. At the top of the gulley, a “pedestal log” is suspended on a column of Chinle Formation. When the Chinle weathers away, the log will be lowered to the ground surface. Image by Petrified Forest National Park.
Petrified log at the Petrified Forest National Park. Image credit: Jon Sullivan
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