Petrified Tree
We have time for one more stop on our tour. On our way
6
to Yellowstone's northeast gate, we will visit some trees
that are more than 50 million years old and are hard as stone to the
touch! These trees are actually fossils that are part of Yellowstone's
petrified forest. Long ago, ash and lava exploded from volcanoes and
covered the ancient forests. Over time, the substances that made up
the buried wood turned into rock. The rock texture is shown in the
up-close image of the petrified tree. It looks lifelike, doesn't it? These
are fossilized versions of the original trees. Just like the petrified tree
shown above, many fossilized tree trunks are still standing where
they grew. From the petrified remains, scientists have identified tree
species that are found today in much warmer climates. This suggests
that Yellowstone used to have a much warmer climate.
Scenic
view
Check In What volcanic features make Yellowstone a unique place to visit?
15
