珪化木
- 資料名
- 珪化木
- 展示の有無
- 有
- 採集地
- 由利本荘市東由利
- 地層名
- 畑村層
- 資料解説
-
植物化石の一種。
土砂などに樹木が埋もれると、地中の水に溶けたシリカ（二酸化珪素）が樹木の中に浸透し、細胞内や細胞間隙に沈着または沈殿する。時間が経つとシリカが結晶化して、樹木全体が石英に変化し珪化木となる。
保存状態の良いものは、木の形や年輪までも認識でき、樹種が特定できる。樹種が分かれば当時の生育していた植物とともに環境や植生がわかることもあり、化石としては重要である。
国や自治体が天然記念物に指定した珪化木が各地に存在している。
It is a type of plant fossil.
When trees become buried in sediment, silica (silicon dioxide) that has dissolved in the underground water permeates into the trees. It settles or becomes deposited in the intracellular and intercellular spaces. Over time, the silica crystallizes and the entire tree transforms into quartz and becomes petrified wood.
The shape and age of the tree can be confirmed in well-preserved wood, and the species of the tree can be identified. Once the species is confirmed, the environment and vegetation can also be understood along with the plant's growth at the time. It is very important as a fossil.
Petrified wood that have been designated as natural monuments by the state or municipalities exist in each region.