We stayed at the RV park on grounds. Viewed the specimens described here in the evening. Then took the tour and completed the nearby earthcache (Pseudomorphism) when the site opened in the morning.
EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. MESSAGE …. View all the petrified logs in front and on the porch. What is the length and width of the largest log?
2. MESSAGE …. View the five petrified logs sitting in a row in front of the building. Choose one and identify the features that resemble the original log. Identify the location of your choice. Example log 2.
3. MESSAGE …. View the front and side wall where there are petrified wood and mineral specimens embedded. ... a. How many petrified wood specimens are embedded in the two walls? ... b. Choose four specimens. Based on the color, what minerals were responsible for petrification? Identify the location of your choices. Example F2-2 indicates front wall row 2 specimen 2.
4. LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item at or near the coordinates. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in creating this earthcache by adding A and B to your log.
A. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
B. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
I visited the Petrified Forest nearly four decades ago. Lived hundreds of miles away, and wanted to do something special for my Dad's birthday. Wrote him a letter, which I recently found. He is no longer with me, but his love always is. LETTER TO MY DAD
THANK YOU Doug for permission to share this learning adventure.
PETRIFIED WOOD
Petrified wood is a fossil that is a complete transition to stone, and is a replicate of the original tree/plant. The tree is buried by sediment preventing it from decaying due to the absence of oxygen and organisms. Mineral laden water flowing through the sediment deposits minerals in the plant's cells, replacing organic material with inorganic material.
COLORS
Pure quartz (silica) crystals are colorless. When contaminants in the water/mud are added during the petrification process, they give petrified wood a variety of colors.
carbon – black
cobalt – green/blue
chromium – green/blue
copper – green/blue
iron oxides – red, pink, orange, brown, yellow
iron and chlorophyll - green
manganese – pink/orange
manganese oxides – blackish/yellow, blue, purple
silica dioxide - tan
RESOURCES
http://www.rockhounds.org/petrified-wood-colors/
http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/~cbaisan/BBTRB/Petrified2.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrified_wood