12.2" Wide, Petrified Wood Log (73 Lbs) - Madagascar

Wide, Petrified Wood Log ( Lbs) - Madagascar #90240

This is a huge petrified Araucaria (Conifer) wood log from Ambilobe, Madagascar. This 220 million year old petrified wood is cut flat on both ends and polished to a mirror like finish on one end, allowing the stunning inner wood detail and fantastic coloration to easily be seen.

The entire log weighs 73.2 lbs and measures up to 10.5" long, 12.2" wide by 8.3" tall.

Petrified wood is the name given to wood that has been turned into stone (fossilized) through the process of permineralization. All of the organic matter becomes replaced by minerals, while much of the original structure such as tree rings in retained. For this to happen the wood needs to be buried in an environment both low in oxygen (preventing decomposition) and with flowing, mineral-laden water. The coloration is due to the various minerals that are present during fossilization. For example red colors are due to iron compounds, greens due to copper, etc.