Puyango Petrified Forest is a fossilized wood deposit that is located in the middle basin of the Puyango River, between El Oro Province and Loja Province, within the southern part of the Republic of Ecuador. As this mesmerizing place is near the border with Peru, it covers an area of approximately 2,658 hectares (6,570 acres). It is one of the most extensive fossilized forests in the world, and an exceptional site for paleontology and geology enthusiasts. As it turns out, this ancient forest is home to an astonishing collection of fossilized trees, some dating back more than 100 million years.
The formation of the deposit began during the Cretaceous period when enormous trees were buried beneath layers of sediment, which gradually mineralized due to silica-containing water, and this process, which is known as permineralization, preserved the inner structures of the trees, fossilizing them while maintaining their original form and delicate features.
There are some parts of the fossilized tree trunks that were found on the site to be up to a maximum size of 15 m (49 ft) and a diameter of over 2 m (6.6 ft), which are definitely among the biggest ones ever discovered. In addition to the tree deposits, fossilized seashells are also present, which show that the site was underwater by an ancient sea before shifts in the Earth exposed it.
Puyango is significant not just due to its fossilized trees but also due to its dense flora and fauna that thrive nowadays in this region. The existing forest over the fossilized trees is full of native plant life, including ceibos, kapok trees, and orchids, and as the area has diverse wildlife, it ranges from hummingbirds, owls, and armadillos to reptiles. The combination of ancient fossils and modern-day biodiversity makes it a unique and scarce ecosystem that is unique to Ecuador, South America, and cannot be seen in other places in the world.
The petrified forest was first described in 1943 by a group of Ecuadorian and American scientists who recognized its scientific value; however, people who lived around it had previously known about the existence of fossilized trunks, which had existed for centuries, but were not aware of the significance it had. There has been a drive to preserve and study the area since then, which has graded it as a natural protected area, and there are continuous projects to preserve this natural wonder so that future generations will be able to gaze at the very distant history of our planet.
There are several possibilities for tourists to visit Puyango Petrified Forest, and as this is a fascinating destination for tourists who are keen on prehistoric landscapes, in addition, the region has well-preserved trails along which tourists can stroll among the fossilized trees, and guided tours provide details of the geological history of the area. The dry season between June and November is ideal to visit when the weather conditions are suitable for hiking and sightseeing, but it is also accessible by land from towns like Loja and Machala, with many modes of transport to take the travelers.
All in all, Puyango remains one of the most amazing natural wonders of Ecuador, offering an insight into Earth’s far-flung past, and with its blend of old fossils and colorful biodiversity, it keeps scientists and tourists alike spellbound, carrying with it a history that dates back millions of years.
.jpg "Source: wikipedia.org by Diego Tirira")
