Silicified wood (NHMW-GEO-2024/0188/11592)

3D Model

Silicified wood forms when plants absorb silica-rich groundwater that fills their cells with silica glass or quartz. This mineralization preserves the plant, turning it to stone soon after death or even while alive.

This object is part of the historical ‘Ettingshausen collection’, which is on permanent loan from the Institute of Biology, University of Graz. It is not currently on display.

Specimen: Silicified fossil tree trunk

Inventory number: NHMW-GEO-2024/0188/11592

Collection: NHMW, Geology & Palaeontology Dept., Palaeobotany (curator: Chris Mays)

Origin: Unkown

Find out more about the NHM Vienna here.

Scanned and edited by A. Haider (NHMW)

Scanner: Artec Space Spider

Contribution to the digitization project „Einsichten in die gesellschaftspolitische Dimension des NHMW über die Jahrhunderte von der Prägung des Wissenschafts-Verständnisses bis zum Nationalpark in der Lobau“ funded by the BMWKMS.