The presence of water reduces the availability of oxygen which inhibits aerobic decomposition by bacteria and fungi. The petrifaction process occurs underground, when wood becomes buried in water or volcanic ash. Unlike other plant fossils, which are typically impressions or compressions, petrified wood is a three-dimensional representation of the original organic material. In some instances, the original structure of the stem tissue may be partially retained. The organic materials making up cell walls have been replicated with minerals (mostly silica in the form of opal, chalcedony, or quartz). Petrifaction is the result of a tree or tree-like plants having been replaced by stone via a mineralization process that often includes permineralization and replacement. Petrified wood, also known as petrified tree (from Ancient Greek πέτρα meaning 'rock' or 'stone' literally 'wood turned into stone'), is the name given to a special type of fossilized wood, the fossilized remains of terrestrial vegetation. Petrified log at the Petrified Forest National Park The remains of insects can be detected in an enlarged image. Polished slice of a petrified tree from the Late Triassic Epoch (approximately 230 million years ago) found in Arizona. For the Japanese film, see The Petrified Forest (1973 film). For the 1936 film, see The Petrified Forest. For a list of petrified forests, see § Occurrences.
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