Petrified wood forest11/13/2023 ![]() Sites throughout the park tell of human history in the area for more than 2,000 years. History of Petrified Forest National Park Two others, Woodworthia and Schilderia, occur in small quantities in the northern part of the park. Most of the fossilized logs are from a tree called Araucarioxylon arizonicum. ![]() But a few trees were petrified, becoming the beautiful fossilized logs we see today. Most of the trees decomposed and disappeared. Some trees were deposited on the flood plain adjacent to the rivers and others were buried in the stream channels. Rivers carried the trees into the lowlands, breaking off branches, bark, and small roots along the way. Over time, trees died or perhaps were knocked over by floodwaters or wind. Fossil evidence of this ancient land lies in the sediments called the Chinle Formation that is now exposed in Petrified Forest National Park. (Eventually this super-continent separated to create our present continents.) This tropical location resulted in a climate and environment very different from today. Ferns, cycads and giant horsetails grow abundantly along the waterway, providing food and shelter for many insects, reptiles, amphibians, and other creatures.ĭuring the Triassic Period (200 – 250 million years ago) the Colorado Plateau area of northeastern Arizona was located near the equator and on the southwestern edge of the landmass known as “Pangea”. A lush landscape with coniferous trees up to nine feet in diameter and towering almost two hundred feet tall surrounds you. Imagine a large basin area with numerous rivers and streams flowing through lowland. Size and Visitation of Petrified Forest National ParkĪbout one half of the visitation occurs during June, July and August. Congress passed a bill that elevated the monument into a national park in 1962. Petrified Forest National Park was first established as a National Monument on when Teddy Roosevelt signed the proclamation. Private vehicle or commercial tours only.Įstablishment the Petrified Forest National Park Take Highway 666 South to I-40 West to the park.īus service is not available. Take Highway 89 South to I-40 East to the park.Ģ.
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