Petrified Tree

This tree was caught standing in an Eocene (~55 million year) volcanic event and was entirely silica-replaced.  Two others use to be exposed here, but tourists chipped them apart looking for souvenirs so the park service fenced this one in to preserve it.  In Petrified Forest, AZ the petrified logs are all laying down.  This is a rare example of a petrified tree still standing.  The volcanics here have simply been prolific.