A rare petrified wood fossil, estimated to be 100-145 million years old, has been discovered in the Rajmahal Hills near Barmasia village in Pakur, Jharkhand. This first in-situ discovery of its kind in India holds immense geological and paleontological significance.
About Petrification (or Petrifaction)
- Petrification is a process of permineralization, where organic matter is completely replaced by minerals, turning the fossil into stone.
- Permineralization occurs when the pores of plant materials, bones, and shells are impregnated with minerals from the ground, lakes, or oceans.
- The process preserves the original tissue structure in detail. This type of fossilization occurs in both hard and soft tissues.
Significance of the Discovery
- The fossil, a 20ft tree divided into 14 parts, is believed to date back to the Cretaceous period.
- The Rajmahal Hills were formed through 16-18 lava flows, with vegetation thriving between each flow.
- The presence of petrified fossils indicates rich prehistoric biodiversity and could provide insights into past climatic conditions.
- Potential for further discoveries: Extensive research could uncover dinosaur fossils and more petrified trees in the region.
Scientific and Economic Impact
- Climate and Geological Insights: Â Studying these fossils can provide critical data on the impact of volcanic eruptions and prehistoric climate shifts. The area could serve as a Centre of Excellence for fossil research, particularly in Santhal Pargana, a well-known fossil-rich region.
- Geo-Tourism Potential: The discovery could help develop Rajmahal Hills into a geo-tourism hub, boosting the local economy. The region could be proposed as a UNESCO Global Geopark for long-term conservation of these invaluable fossils.