When Do Petrification Occur?

Petrified fossils form when minerals replace the structure of an organism. This process, called permineralization, occurs when groundwater solutions saturate the remains of buried plants or animals. As the water evaporates the minerals remain, eventually filling in the spaces left as the organism slowly decays.

How does petrification occur?

Petrification (petros means stone) occurs when the organic matter is completely replaced by minerals and the fossil is turned to stone. This generally occurs by filling the pores of the tissue, and inter and intra cellular spaces with minerals, then dissolving the organic matter and replacing it with minerals.

What is an example of petrification?

Petrifaction is when a plant or animal gradually turns into stone. Petrified wood, wood that's been fossilized over time, is one example of petrifaction. ... When an organism goes through petrifaction, its original structure is slowly replaced by minerals, until it's entirely made of stone.