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Petrified Wood 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 (mostly a silicate, such as quartz), while retaining the original structure of the wood. 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 organic materials decay, a stone mould forms under pressure in their place. In general, wood takes less than 100 years to petrify. The samples below were purchased from the shop at the Petrified Forest National Park, in Arizona, where the remaining photos were taken. It is illegal to collect specimens from the park, itself, but specimens collected from private property (mostly nearby Navajo lands) is sold at the park store. All photos copyright Michael Marcotte, 2011 Return to List Back to Michael's Hobbies page Back to Michael Marcotte's HomePage