PETRIFIED WOOD FROM FISHING CREEK (HALIFAX COUNTY)-MOST PEOPLE THINK OF THE WEST WHEN THEY HEAR ABOUT PETRIFIED WOOD, BUT IT IS COMMON IN NORTH CAROLINA. PETRIFIED WOOD FOUND IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA CAN RANGE IN AGE FROM THE LAST ICE AGE (WHICH ENDED ABOUT 12 THOUSAND YEARS AGO)TO MANY MILLIONS OF YEARS OLD.
THIS PIECE OF PETRIFIED WOOD IS VERY UNUSUAL. IT NEVER PETRIFIED ALL THE WAY TO THE CENTER. THE CENTER IS MUMMIFIED WOOD.
IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE PIECE OF WOOD IN THE UPPER LEFT OF THIS PICTURE YOU CAN SEE CRYSTALS. THESE WERE FORMED FROM THE SAP
THAT WAS IN THE WOOD BEFORE IT PETRIFIED.
THESE TWO PIECES OF PETRIFIED WOOD HAVE A FINE LAYER OF IRON PYRITE CRYSTALS IN THEM
THIS SILICIFIED LOG IS ABOUT TWO FEET IN DIAMETER, IT IS STILL IN SITU SINCE IT IS MUCH TO BIG FOR MY HOME COLLECTION.
BUT I DID MANAGE TO BREAK OFF A SMALL PIECE FOR MY COLLECTION
SOME PIECES OF PETRIFIED WOOD HAVE A VERY HIGH MINERAL CONTENT. WHEN TAPPED THEY WILL RING LIKE GLASS.THEY WILL ALSO SHATTER LIKE GLASS WHEN DROPPED ON A HARD SURFACE.
