Petrified forest of Lesbos, Petrified forest in Lesbos, Greece
The Petrified Forest of Lesbos is a geological site containing fossilized tree trunks spread across four separate park areas located between Sigri, Eressos, and Antissa. The main visitor area includes a museum with fossil exhibits and provides access to natural stone formations and preserved wood structures throughout the grounds.
The site formed around 20 million years ago when intense volcanic eruptions blanketed the landscape with ash, causing trees to become petrified over time. This volcanic activity occurred during a period spanning from the late Oligocene through the middle Miocene epoch.
The Natural History Museum here serves as a research center dedicated to understanding ancient volcanic landscapes and Earth's geological past. The site holds significance for people interested in how nature transformed over millions of years.
The park areas are accessible during daylight hours, and visiting early in the day helps avoid crowds while providing good light for viewing the formations. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the terrain is uneven with rocky paths throughout.
A special section features submerged petrified trees visible through glass-bottom boats departing from Sigri, offering a glimpse into how the ancient forest landscape extended beneath the water. This underwater portion reveals what happened to the petrified terrain after the sea rose over it.
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