7 Geological Phenomena So Crazy, You'll Think They're Photoshopped!

Petrified Woods

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Petrified forests are old forests that have been petrified—that is, converted to stone. This happens when trees are covered in volcanic ash or silt, so depriving their oxygen supply and stopping their breakdown. The minerals in the sediment or ash permeate into the wood over time, substituting for the organic component and turning the trees into stone. Though some of the most well-known examples are found in Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park and Yellowstone National Park, petrified forests are not uncommon worldwide. Thousands of millions of years old petrified trees abound in these places. Petrified forests provide scientists with important information about historical ecosystems and climate patterns, therefore offering a special window into the past. Researching the kinds of petrified trees and the sediment layers around them helps one to understand the topography and climate of the region during the time the trees were living. Popular tourist attractions are also petrified woods since they let guests view a naturally occurring beauty and wonder. Petrified wood in a museum or the paths of a national park are both amazing reminders of the tremendous forces of nature that have sculpted our planet over millions of years.