Saudi Arabia's Fossilized Forests Reveal Geological Wonders

The petrified tree trunks located about 40 kilometers east of Al-Ajalaiyah Center in Al-Aflaj Governorate are remarkable geological formations formed over millions of years.

 This fossilized forest has become a popular destination for visitors and desert enthusiasts. Scattered throughout the site are petrified trunks and branches embedded in a sedimentary layer, covered by strata from the late Permian period. These layers are distinct due to their dark brown, nearly black color.

 The petrified trees are part of a chain of fossilized forests extending 1,000 kilometers from Al-Mustawi plateau in Qassim Region to the western edge of the Empty Quarter, an area marked by dry rivers and ancient forests from past rainy periods.

 Petrification occurs when trees are buried by sediments carried by floods, preventing decomposition due to a lack of oxygen. Groundwater, rich in certain solvents, dissolves parts of the plant, replacing them with sand particles (silica and calcite) and other inorganic materials. These trees remain entombed until winds eventually uncover them millions of years later.