Name/Title
Petrified WoodEntry/Object ID
78.58.93Description
Assemblage Zone: sedimentary
Chemical Composition: Si O2
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Description: Family: Hamamelidaceae
Genus:Liquidambar
Common Name:Sweet Gum
Age: Miocene
Location data: Yakima Canyon, Washington
Description: Thick slab with polished face. Opalized wood around edge, in creams, white and tan surrounding a dark brown ring around a brown center. A crack runs through the center with a few small silicate spots. A hole is also in the center brown area which extends 3/4" of the way through the piece. Growth rings are visible.
Size: 7.00"x 7.00"x .750"
Type of Fossils Present: Plants
Fracture: conchoidal
Grain Size: Fine
Hardness: 7 Quartz
Luster: Glassy
Occurrence: Silicified wood, which is the fossilization and/or opalization of organic woody matter by the deposition of SiO2 in a anaerobic environment to prevent decay. This means that the wood must somehow be buried in an oxygen free enviroment, possibly in the silt-laden river or the bottom of a lake or buried by volcanic ash or volcanic related mudflow. The organic material in the wood is then replaced by silica, other minerals determined the colors of the petrified wood.
Pressure: Moderate
Rock Color: Medium
Rock Origin: Post-depositional
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 2.6
Surface Process: Not apparent
Streak: white
Temperature: Low
Texture: microcrystalline
Variety: Petrified wood is hydrous microcrystalline variety of quartz that can be defined in general term of chalcedony or opalizationCollection
Petrified Wood CollectionAcquisition
Accession
78.58Source or Donor
Delmar Smith Petrified Wood CollectionAcquisition Method
DonationOther Names and Numbers
Other Number
Other Number: 78.58.93Dimensions
Width
7 inDepth
3/4 inLength
7 inDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Container
CenterDrawer
3rd ShelfShelf
LeftCabinet
Case #110Wall
West WallBuilding
Mentzer Hall - Petrified Wood RoomCategory
Permanent
