found on the island of Lesvos
A large fossilized tree believed to be 20-million-years-old, was discovered, preserved, and intact with its branches and roots, on the Greek island of Lesvos.
The following written content from GCT
It is considered an extremely rare find, as it is the first time since 1995 when excavations began in the area of Western Lesvos by the Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, where a fossilized tree with its branches has been located.
The tree is about 19 meters long, and is said to have been preserved due to the thick layer of volcanic ash that covered it after it fell.
“It is a unique find,” Professor Nikos Zouros said, adding that it “is preserved in excellent condition and from studying the fossilized wood we will be able to identify the type of plant it comes from.”
The petrified forest, a 15,000-hectare UNESCO-protected site, is the result of a volcanic eruption 20 million years ago which smothered the island’s then subtropical forest ecosystem in lava.
In addition to the fossilised tree, a large number of fruit tree leaves from that time, along with animal bones, were found in the general area.
“During the excavations, the various forests that existed between 17 and 20 million years ago on Lesvos are being uncovered Read more from GCT
Lesbos lies in the far east of the Aegean sea, facing the Turkish coast (Gulf of Edremit) from the north and east; at the narrowest point, the strait is about 5.5 km (3.4 mi) wide. The shape of the island is roughly triangular, but it is deeply intruded by the gulfs of Kalloni, with an entry on the southern coast, and of Gera, in the southeast.[4]
The following written content from Wikipedia
The island is forested and mountainous with two large peaks, Mount Lepetymnos at 968 m (3,176 ft) and Mount Olympus at 967 m (3,173 ft), dominating its northern and central sections.[5] The island’s volcanic origin is manifested in several hot springs and the two gulfs.
Lesbos is verdant, aptly named Emerald Island, with a greater variety of flora than expected for the island’s size. Eleven million olive trees cover 40% of the island together with other fruit trees. Forests of Mediterranean pines, chestnut trees and some oaks occupy 20%, and the remainder is scrub,
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