More Information
From ancient Greek meaning "wood turned into rock", Petrified Wood is an unique form of fossilization. In some instances all the organic matter has been replaced by minerals (usually a silicate, such as quartz) during a process called permineralization / replacement. However, many petrified wood specimens undergo a unique fossilization process, where silicates bond with the cellulose structure of the wood, thereby preserving organic matter. Regardless of the process, in order for wood to become petrified it must be completely covered by sediment, thereby depriving the wood of oxygen and providing a mineral supply. Over time, water delivers the minerals into the cellular structure of the wood, replacing or bonding with the organic material, cell by cell, until the wood is transformed into stone. The color of each piece is dependent upon other trace minerals present in the locality at the time of fossilization. Streaks of warm browns and reds are indicative of iron oxides present during a specimen's fossilization process.
