Ancient Petrified Log of the Painted Desert

A massive petrified log rests beneath the open skies of Petrified Forest National Park, its richly colored cross-section revealing the remarkable transformation of an ancient tree into stone over more than 200 million years. Brilliant shades of red, orange, and black highlight the intricate mineralization that preserved the wood grain through the ages. Set against the rugged beauty of the Painted Desert, this fossil stands as a striking reminder of the lush Triassic forests that once flourished across what is now the high desert of northeastern Arizona.
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