***About Petrified Wood

***: Petrified wood, showcased prominently in this image, is the result of a fascinating natural process called permineralization. This occurs when plant material is buried by sediment and protected from decay due to oxygen and organisms. Groundwater rich in dissolved solids flows through the sediment, replacing the original plant material with silica, calcite, pyrite, or another inorganic material such as opal. Over time, this process results in a fossil of the original plant that can retain very detailed features, from tree rings to bark texture. The petrified wood seen here likely dates back to the Late Triassic period, approximately 225 million years ago, making it an invaluable link to the ecological history of the Earth.

Image ID: 92822

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