This uniquely preserved ancient forest near the gateway to the Napa Valley in California was created following a violent volcanic explosion 3.4 million years ago. Littered with felled Redwood trees of a now extinct variety, the students navigated the three-dimensional fossils on site while absorbing a lesson on permineralization from the docent.
The role of volcanic ash in an anaerobic environment, absence of bacteria and prohibition of decompositon, and mineral rich waters with deposits of silica were all fascinating points of discussion for the group.
In the end, it was “hard” to leave..
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