PETRIFIED WOOD OCCURRENCES IN WESTERN THRACE AND LIMNOS ISLAND: MINERALOGY, GEOCHEMISTRY AND DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT

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Published: Jun 8, 2007
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.16543
Keywords:
silicified wood Evros Limnos mineralogy depositional environment
P. Voudouris
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, Department of Mineralogy – Petrology
D. Velitzelos
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, Department of Hist. Geology – Paleontology
E. Velitzelos
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, Department of Hist. Geology – Paleontology
U. Thewald
University of Ulm/Germany, Department of Chemistry, Section of "Röntgen und Elektronenbeugung
Abstract

The present study describes the geology and mineralogy of the main petrified wood occurrences in Evros-Rhodopi and Limnos and integrates them in a volcanichydro thermal framework taking into consideration the nature of hydrothermal solutions during the silicification process. In the Lykofi-Fylakto-Lefkymi area, quartz and opal-CT are the main silica polymorph within the wood. The hostrocL· exhibit a zeolitic alteration suggesting reduced and slightly alkaline fluids for the silicification of wood. At Kassiteres/Sappes area the presence ofsilicified wood within kaolinite± alunite altered tuffbreccias indicates that slight acidic fluids were involved in the silicification processes. In Limnos Island the fossiliferous Portianou, Varos- Roussopouli and Moudros-Roussopouli areas occur in the periphery of an eroded volcanic edifice exposed at Fakos peninsula. The silicified wood occurs: (a) within weakly altered pyroclastics and (b) associated to several horizons of sinters interbedded within the pyroclastics. Transformation of amorphous silica to opal-CT and then to quartz is postulated based on XRD and SEM studies. The studied areas represent unique natural monuments, comparable to the petrified forest of Lesvos island.

Article Details
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  • Palaeontology, Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
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