Yomiya no dai keikaboku, Natural monument in Tobata-ku, Japan
Yomiya no dai keikaboku is a natural monument in Tobata-ku displaying large petrified wood formations from ancient geological periods. The stones show how organic material transformed into mineral over millions of years through natural silicification.
The site became a designated natural monument decades ago to protect its geological significance. Scientists recognized these petrified formations as evidence of ancient forests that covered the Fukuoka region millions of years before present times.
The site sits surrounded by modern research institutions that study geology and engineering. Local schools and universities use this location to teach students about Earth's deep past and natural processes.
The monument is easily reached by public train, with two JR Kyushu stations nearby offering convenient access to the area. The best views of the stones come on clear days when light highlights the details in the petrified formations.
The wood grain and cellular structures remain visible inside some of the petrified formations, revealing exactly which tree species once grew in this area. This preservation allows scientists to study the precise composition of forests from prehistoric times.
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