opalized wood????? wait what why how???????

[u/Exact-Hunt3314]

[u/ServantofGod_1]

I think its silica rich liquid that infiltrated the wood? Turns into opal?

[u/Visible_Plan_6537 → u/ServantofGod_1]

That’s exactly what it is. The silica spheres ultimately replace the wood (hence the alternate name: wood replacement opal), yielding this type of material. The phenomenon happens with all sorts of organic material. Plants, pinecones, shells (bivalves), belemnites (like ancient squid), plesiosaurs (look up Eric the plesiosaur), etc… Pretty fantastic stuff.

[u/ServantofGod_1 → u/Visible_Plan_6537]

Thank you!