Stone trunks
Trees turned to stone with clear rings.
Pavel Špindler — CC BY 3.0 · Olga Ernst — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joaquín Romero Redondo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pavel Špindler — CC BY 3.0 · Olga Ernst — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Petrified Forest is a geological site in the Kunene Region of northern Namibia, about 30 km west of Khorixas according to sources. Tree trunks turned to stone lie scattered over an area of some 300 by 800 m, at 760 m above sea level. The trunks are estimated at 240 to 300 million years old. Since they show no remains of roots, scientists think they were driftwood carried by a great flood from elsewhere, perhaps present-day Angola, so this is not a forest that grew on the spot. Sediment sealed them from the air, silica then seeped into their cells and turned them to stone over millions of years, and erosion later brought them back to light. You see 50 to 60 large trunks, the biggest about 30 m long and 6 m around. They have broken into many pieces, yet their growth rings are still clear, so at first glance they look like real timber. Rare welwitschia plants with twisted leaves grow here too, so admire them without stepping on them. Visits usually run with a guide along a short path. The site lies about 500 m from the main road and 27.7 km from the Organ Pipes in a straight line. The ground is exposed and hot, so bring a hat and water. Do not take any piece of petrified wood, as this is prohibited and damages the site.
Trees turned to stone with clear rings.
Twisted leaves in dry ground.
A short path with geological notes.
Roadside southeast of Twyfelfontein, west of Khorixas, Namibia
Scientists think it was driftwood carried by a flood, since the trunks have no roots.
No, this is prohibited and damages the site.