Name/Title
AraucariaEntry/Object ID
05.58.51Description
Assemblage Zone: sedimentary
Chemical Composition: Si O2
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Description: Family: Araucariaceae
Genus: Araucarioxylon
Species: Arizonicum
Common Name: Araucaria or Monkey Puzzle
Age: Jurassic
Location data: Chinle Formation, Arizona USA
Description: Polished face shows colors of orange, black, brown, grey, there are slight growth rings are apparent. The slab is a complete round
Type of Fossils Present: Plants
Fracture: conchoidal
Grain Size: Fine
Hardness: 7 Quartz
Lithofacies: fluvial system
Luster: Glassy
Occurrence: Silicified wood, which is the fossilization and 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 related volcanic mudflow. The organic material in the wood is then replaced by silica (SiO2), other minerals determined its colors.
Pressure: Low-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 woods here are hydrous microcrystalline variety of quartz that can be generally termed as chalcedony.Collection
Petrified Wood CollectionAcquisition
Accession
05.58Source or Donor
Petrified Wood CollectionAcquisition Method
DonationOther Names and Numbers
Other Number
Other Number: 2005.58.51Dimensions
Width
10 inDepth
1-1/4 inLength
17 inDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Display Case
PW-10Room
Petrified Wood RoomBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
ExhibitMoved By
Jillian Mather KettleyDate
September 19, 2025Notes
Location added when performing inventory