Description
Fossil Petrified Wood Slice – Wanapum Basalt Formation, Miocene Epoch, Saddle Mountain Area, Grant County, Washington, USA
This striking fossilised wood slice comes from the renowned Saddle Mountain area in Grant County, Washington, and dates to the Miocene Epoch, approximately 15 to 13 million years ago. It was preserved in the Wanapum Basalt Formation, a unit of the Columbia River Basalt Group, where ancient forests were rapidly buried and mineralised by volcanic flows.
Fossil Type & Classification:
- Type: Petrified Wood (Silicified Fossil Wood Slice)
- Possible Species: Gymnosperm/Angiosperm (varies; exact species not identified for this specimen)
- Phylum: Tracheophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida or Pinopsida (broadleaf or conifer, often indeterminate)
- Described by: Specimens from Saddle Mountain are widely studied, though many remain undescribed to species level due to limited diagnostic cell structures in cross-section
Geological & Stratigraphic Details:
- Location: Saddle Mountain Area, Grant County, Washington, USA
- Formation: Wanapum Basalt Formation (Columbia River Basalt Group)
- Epoch: Middle Miocene, Neogene Period
- Age: ~15–13 million years ago
- Depositional Environment: Ancient floodplain and forest ecosystems quickly buried by successive basalt lava flows, leading to permineralisation of wood through silica-rich groundwater
Morphology & Features:
- Highly detailed growth rings and wood grain structure visible in cross-section
- Silicified and mineralised with varying hues of brown, red, black, and cream depending on mineral content
- Polished surface enhances visibility of internal wood structures
- Rough or natural edge retaining some bark texture depending on slice
- Unique concentric banding or cellular patterns preserved through replacement by chalcedony or quartz
Notable: The petrified wood of the Saddle Mountain region is famous for its vibrant colouration and high polish potential. Formed during intense volcanic activity in the Miocene, this material captures the fossilised remains of entire trees swept into ancient river systems or buried in situ by lava. These specimens are highly prized by both collectors and palaeobotanists.
Specimen Details:
- Origin: Saddle Mountain, Grant County, Washington, USA
- Fossil Type: Petrified Wood Slice
- Geological Age: Miocene Epoch (~15–13 Ma)
- Formation: Wanapum Basalt, Columbia River Basalt Group
- Size Reference: Scale cube = 1cm (see listing photos for full sizing)
- Note: You will receive the exact specimen shown in the photo
Authenticity & Quality: This fossil is 100% genuine and professionally sourced. It has been carefully polished on one side for display. Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. No artificial dyes or enhancements have been used.
Why Choose This Fossil? Perfect for:
- Fossil and mineral collectors
- Natural history displays
- Geology and palaeobotany education
- Unique home décor or gift for nature enthusiasts
Shipping & Packaging: We pack all items securely using eco-conscious materials and offer tracked international shipping. Your fossil is handled with care to ensure safe delivery.
Own a stunning and scientifically valuable slice of prehistoric American forest with this authentic petrified wood fossil from Washington’s Miocene basalt flows.
All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
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