Pieces and full petrified logs in a barren area with mountains in the background.

Question

Which statements about this area are true based on what you know about petrified fossils? Check all that apply.

The area was once a forest.
The area was uplifted.
The area was void of organic material.
The area was probably covered by water.
The area was covered by volcanic material.

Answer 1

Based on what you know about petrified fossils, the following statements apply:

1. The area was once a forest. - True. Petrified wood comes from trees that were once alive, indicating that the area was likely a forest in the past.

2. The area was uplifted. - True. Many areas where petrified wood is found have undergone geological uplift due to tectonic forces, exposing the fossils that were buried.

3. The area was void of organic material. - False. The presence of petrified wood indicates that there was once organic material, specifically trees, in the area.

4. The area was probably covered by water. - True. Many petrified fossils form in environments where the wood is submerged in water, allowing for the mineralization process to occur.

5. The area was covered by volcanic material. - This can be context-dependent, but it is not universally true. Some petrified wood is found in areas with volcanic activity, as volcanic ash can help facilitate the fossilization process, but this is not a requirement for petrification.

So, the true statements are:

• The area was once a forest.
• The area was uplifted.
• The area was probably covered by water.