January 28 According to Reuters, Greek scientists recently found a rare fossil tree on the volcanic island of Lesbos.
The branches and roots remain intact after 20 million years.
The tree was found in road construction near an ancient forest on Lesbos Island, which had been petrified millions of years ago, and it was transported out with a special splint and metal platform.
Nikos Zouros, a professor at the Natural History Museum of the Petrified Forest on Lesbos Island, said that this is the first time that such a well-in-good fossil tree has been found since excavation began in 1995, with its branches and roots intact.
“This is a unique discovery,” he said. It is) well preserved and by studying wood fossils we will be able to determine what kind of plant it belongs to.”
The petrified forest on Lesbos Island covers an area of 15,000 hectares.
It was formed after the volcanic eruption 20 million years ago.
Volcanic lava flooded the island’s then subtropical forest ecosystem.
The fossil tree, which is about 19 meters long, is covered with thick volcanic ash after falling.
A large number of fruit leaves and animal bones were also found in the same place.
“During excavation, various trees on Lesbos Island 17-20 million years ago were discovered, and we could rebuild the ecosystem that existed during that period,” Zuros said.
