![]() However it is not the only method of preservation. Volcanic preservation tends to be the most common method of fossilization for petrified wood, as it is unaffected by climate trends. ![]() In preventing decomposers from doing this, much of the decomposition that actually occurs happens over a very prolonged period of time, perfect for fossilization. The ground that they were buried in was saturated with moisture, which meant that overall there was a lower oxygen content, preventing the most common decomposer organisms (bacteria, fungi, subterranean arthropods) from eating away at the trees in great numbers. Most known petrified forests were found with evidence that they were buried very quickly all at once, most commonly through volcanic ash, mudslides, or a combination of the two. It is very important for fossilization that the deceased remains of an organism decompose slowly, over a long period of time. Thus, when the permineralization process affects submerged trees, much of the actual bodily structure of the tree is retained. The mineralization process begins on this outermost layer first, with the inner parts of the cell mineralizing at a much slower rate. The cells that compose wood, by nature, are structurally boxy and strong. Uniquely, plants have a cell wall, a structure surrounding all of their cells made of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, complex carbon-based molecules that form, among other things, the majority of the structural elements of wood. Trees, like all plants, have a different cellular structure from most other organisms on the planet. ![]() This process, called permineralization, is one of the most commonly observed methods of fossilization, and is the process by which the forests of Earth’s prehistory are preserved and known to us in the present day. Mineral-rich water is then drawn through this empty space, and leaves behind sediment that fills the empty space, which is then compacted. When the organic component of a deceased organism decomposes, it leaves empty space within the compacted sediment that then holds the shape of the organism’s remains. Soft, organic tissue degrades relatively rapidly compared to inorganic compounds like the surrounding sediment. What's old is new again, with Evolution's extensive petrified wood collection! DETAILS SKU: FO-PW0004ĭimensions: Approximately 3.A slice of 200 million year old petrified wood from Arizona with details such as tree rings preserved.įossilization occurs most often when a lifeform dies on or in sediment saturated with water. Individual shapes and colors vary but your item will resemble the pictured examples. The different minerals in groundwater are what give petrified wood its variety of colors. ![]() Eventually the wood is completely mineralized, often preserving minute structural detail. Over millions of years, water bearing silica trickles down through the sediment and the silica forms crystals in the cells and hollows of the wood. The petrification process occurs when wood becomes buried under sediment, such as volcanic ash (most petrified wood is associated with volcanic activity), and is preserved due to a lack of oxygen, inhibiting aerobic decomposition. This means that more-or-less all of the original organic materials have been replaced with minerals. Petrified wood is the result of a tree's trunk or limbs having turned into stone by the process of permineralization. They are a unique way to enhance your home's décor. They make great paperweights, and also look good displayed in groups on a coffee table or shelf. Our Petrified Wood is offered in chunks that nestle into the palm of your hand. Each has a flat base finished on the bottom with black felt to protect your furniture. These handsome blocks have been cut and polished to prominently display the colors, markings and patterns that are unique to each piece.
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