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Evolutions Division - Petrified WoodImagine a time on earth over 200 million years ago. It was the Mesozoic Era and both the climate and terrain were significantly different than what we are familiar with today. The lush landscape contained many types of flora including huge trees, both pine and palm, that were used to shade the dinosaurs tromping over the ground. In addition, the tropical, humid climate supported many rivers and streams. Whenever a tree would fall, for whatever reason, its most likely disposition was to either decay, burn or be eaten. However, in very rare and special instances, all the unique and crucial circumstances would be in place to cause the development of one of earth’s most interesting and spectacular creations. Petrified wood forms when a fallen tree is completely buried creating an environment totally lacking in the oxygen that would cause the tree to decay or rot away. It is believed that the wood was covered over with a thick layer of volcanic ash, “like an avalanche of hot sand”, containing high concentrations of silica. Most likely this ash was carried in a stream of hot water and contained numerous minerals such as iron or manganese in addition to the silica. It is the presence of these minerals that cause the spectacular colors of petrified wood including pale white, orange-red, vivid blue, yellow brown and the deepest of black.
At this point, the buried tree actually became a “mold”. The hot, wet, silica laden solution worked its way into the cellular structure of the tree/mold and filled all the open spaces. Over time the water dehydrated out of the solution and what it left behind became a sort of silica gel that dehydrated further and turned into opal. The wood actually became mineralized and with the passage of more time and more dehydration it hardened into quartz in some form or another, possibly jasper or agate. The wood moved through a total transformation process. It became inseparably bonded to the silica molecules and nearly all of its characteristics: color, odor, weight, porosity and hardness were permanently changed. In fact, it is no longer wood, but has become stone. In some instances the pattern of the original cellular structure was maintained and ring pattern and bark of the original tree can be identified.
What results from all of these complicated and precise geologic processes are beautiful, rare and treasured specimens of petrified wood. They are as varied and unique as the situations that created them. All the factors involved: type of wood, environmental condition, amount of silica, beginning temperature, rate of dehydration, cooling speed and the type and amount of other minerals play a roll in the subtle or huge differences that are apparent in the end result. Somehow, when the petrified wood is polished to show off its magnificent colors and patterns, something magical happens. It is impossible to rub your hand over one of these treasures from the past and not let your mind marvel over its evolution from the days so long ago that we can not even conceptualize the meaning of the time. To touch something that represents the mysteries of nature and its continual evolution through the eons… to touch something that was once a living growing thing - that may have been a shelter, or a scratching post, or a source of food for the dinosaurs that preceded man’s existence is an amazing experience. These specimens are priceless representations of the uniqueness of nature, and the impact of time. To view more of these beautiful pieces, visit our Petrified Wood Showcase by clicking here. |
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Mailing Address: Box 471 • Ridgway, PA 15853