Petrified Abstraction No 1

by Andreas Thust

Title

Petrified Abstraction No 1

Artist

Andreas Thust

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Close-up of a petrified tree trunk found in the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, Greece. The natural phenomenon of a petrified forest is unique for whole Europe. Worldwide, only Arizona, USA, has a similar petrified forest, however of lesser significance. The outstanding feature of the Greek one is the richness and glow of the colors of the petrified wooden structures. In ancient times the Aegean island of Lesvos had many active volcanoes and the creation of this monument is related to their activity. The age of the Petrified Forest is estimated to be around 20.000.000 years. At that time the area was covered with trees like pine trees, beech trees, plane trees, as well as palm trees, sequoias and other species of flora. This specific flora does not grow there any longer. It grows nowadays only in subtropical areas. An ancient period of high volcanic activity caused a chain of complex chemical reactions whereby the colorful petrifaction of the forest was caused. Today, a limited number of these trees "grow" seemingly by themselves because the volcanic ashes covering them vanishes gradually by natural erosion. The vast majority of the petrified trees is still buried in the volcanic ashes.

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July 26th, 2015

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