Carboniferous forest of Verdeña, fossil site in Spain
The Carboniferous forest of Verdeña is a paleontological site in a nearly vertical sandstone rock face in the municipality of Cervera de Pisuerga. The rock surface displays preserved root systems, fallen tree trunks, and other botanical remains from the Carboniferous period approximately 305 million years ago.
The ancient forest was destroyed approximately 305 million years ago during the Carboniferous period in a shallow coastal swamp landscape. Marine currents laid the fallen trees in alignment, which were later covered by sediments and eventually brought to their nearly vertical position today through tectonic movement.
The name Verdeña refers to the verdant landscape that characterizes the area today. Visitors can observe the vertical rock face with its embedded fossils and grasp how this ancient forest once grew along the shoreline millions of years ago.
The site is accessible via a marked trail from the village of Verdeña leading to the nearly vertical rock face. The rock wall lies at ground level and is clearly visible, allowing visitors to observe the fossils up close without special equipment.
A remarkable aspect is that the fossils remain in their original positions because they were exposed intact during open-pit coal mining. This allows researchers to study the precise alignment and arrangement of trees exactly as ancient currents deposited them.
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