This is probably the most popular petrified park in the world.
Thousands of logs litter a stretch of grassland at Petrified Forest
National Park in northeastern Arizona. From far away, the logs might
look ordinary. But they contain a surprise. The shiny, multicolored
insides of the stumps are made of rock, not wood! This transformation
was the result of a natural process that took place about 225 million
years ago.
Arizona designated petrified wood as its official state fossil in 1988.
Petrified Forest National Park in northern Arizona protects one of the
largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world.
Made up of almost solid quartz, each piece of petrified wood is like a
giant crystal, often sparkling in the sunlight with a rainbow of colors.
Stone stumps aren't the only attraction at Petrified Forest
National Park. Walking along the park's trails, visitors can see
hills made of bluish clay and the remains of a dwelling built
over 600 years ago by the Puebloan peoples. Hikers might also come
across tiger salamanders, prairie dogs, ornate box turtles, and other
animals that inhabit the park.
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Here's Great Photos Of The Park. Enjoy! :)
Petrified Forest National Park is a world-class tourist site
in the area, straddling Interstate 10 about 70 or 80 miles
east of Meteor Crater. Each year, about 800,000 people visit to
sightsee, hike, and backpack.
The park covers 146 square miles. It's dry and often windy, but not as hot
as desert areas at lower altitudes, and it's mostly covered in grass.
At times volcanic ash was deposited on fallen trees in the forest here, and
silica in the ash was dissolved by water and entered the trees, fossilizing them.
The silica in the logs crystallized into quartz, but often iron oxide and other
minerals were mixed in, producing extraordinarily beautiful kaleidoscopic patterns
and colors.
Encompassing 170 square miles, the park extends into the Painted Desert in the
north.
The Petrified Forest in Arizona has been a national monument since 1906
but didn't become a national park until 1962.
The Petrified Forest in Arizona might be most recognizable by its petrified,
fallen trees, but the park is actually teeming with life! Animals such as
coyotes, pronghorns, deer mice and bobcats live here, along with snakes,
lizards, amphibians and over 200 species of birds. In addition, you can
find over 400 species of plants. Photo by Flickr User Sonora Dick
Because of tectonic forces about 60 million years ago, the park was
subjected to increased erosion which has unearthed the beautiful
layers we are able to see today.
In addition to petrified logs, they've discovered a range of fossils
dating back to the Late Triassic Period. From ferns and Gingkoes to
phytosaurs and dinosaurs, paleontologists are constantly studying this
fossil-rich area.
The ancient inhabitants here were quite the builders. They left behind
pit houses and also above-ground pueblos. All in all, after being forced
to abandon their communities due to climate change, the inhabitants left
behind over 600 archeological sites for paleontologists to explore.
The Chinle is up to 800 feet thick in the Petrified Forest. That means 800
feet of colorful sedimentary rocks like sandstone, mudstone, siltstone, claystone,
and limestone. Abundant iron and manganese compounds are what make these rocks
so vivid. Wind and water combine to erode the Chinle and create the unique,
ever-changing badlands that people flock from far and wide to see.
Petroglyphs - images, symbols, or designs - have been left behind by
previous settlers and are visible here. You can see them in various locations,
scratched or carved into rock surfaces. Paleontologists believe these
markings are between 650 and 2,000 years old.
Photo by Flickr User Andrew Kearns
When their trails are named things like "Painted Desert Rim," "Blue Mesa," or
"Crystal Forest," you know you're in for a scenic stroll. The park invites
hikers, backpackers, and pets (on leashes!) to wander along the trails and
take in the natural beauty. Horseback riding and some bicycling are allowed,
and if you take the time to obtain a free permit, you can even stay overnight.
Photo by Flickr User I Love Hiking
The Visitors Center shows an educational video every 1/2 hour. Titled
"Timeless Impressions," it's designed to share some awe-inspiring facts
about the Petrified Forest with its visitors. Other exciting opportunities
include fossil exhibits and an interactive Triassic virtual tour. In the visitor
center, you'll also find a variety of programs about the park
hosted by park rangers who are more than willing to share their knowledge of
the area.
Photo by Flickr User Tom Haymes
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