Long Log along the Giant Logs Trail | Petrified Forest National Park

This week’s petrified wood features a long log along the Giant Logs Trail. People always ask who cut the petrified logs. It was a natural process after petrification but before eroding out of the surrounding softer rock (sandstone and claystone). As the rock moves through tectonics, uplifting, and settling, the softer rock can deform without harm, while the hard but brittle petrified wood snaps under the stress. The segments are often very regular as it is the same force on similar diameter along its length. (hl) #petrifiedwood #parkscience#PetrifiedForest