Archive for the ‘Fossil’ Category
Petrified wood ring 木化石
Posted in Agate, Amulets, Bigluck, 玛瑙, Fossil, Petrified wood, petrified wood ring, Ring, Silver Jewelry, Suiseki, Talismans, Wood turned into stone, 木化石, 水石, tagged Agate, Amulets, Bigluck, 玛瑙, Fossil, Petrified wood, petrified wood ring, Ring, Silver Jewelry, Suiseki, Talismans, Wood turned into stone, 木化石, 水石 on 21/08/2010| Leave a Comment »
Petrified wood (from the Greek root petro meaning “rock” or “stone”; literally “wood turned into stone”) is the name given to a special type of fossilized remains of terrestrial vegetation. It is the result of a tree having turned completely into stone by the process of permineralization. All the organic materials have been replaced with minerals (most often a silicate, such as quartz), while retaining the original structure of the wood. Unlike other types of fossils which are typically impressions or compressions, petrified wood is a three dimensional representation of the original organic material. The petrifaction process occurs underground, when wood becomes buried under sediment and is initially preserved due to a lack of oxygen which inhibits aerobic decomposition. Mineral-laden water flowing through the sediment deposits minerals in the plant’s cells and as the plant’s lignin and cellulose decay, a stone mould forms in its place.
In general, wood takes fewer than 100 years to petrify. The organic matter needs to become petrified before it decomposes completely.[1] A forest where the wood has petrified becomes known as a petrified forest.
You must be logged in to post a comment.