Well-signed exhibits in this state-of-the-art museum in Sigri, a coastal village northwest of Skala Eresou, transport visitors to the moment when violent volcanic explosions discharged rapid flows of extremely hot ash and rock, which moved east to west, almost instantaneously covering western Lesvos' dense forest – trees, branches, root systems, leaves, fruits. What followed – hot fluids rich in pyrite, rising from molten magma – perfectly fossilised plant fibers. This process involved the molecule-by-molecule replacement of organic plant matter with inorganic matter.
Today’s petrified forest reveals structural characteristics of plants, root systems and tree trunks, exactly as they existed 20 million years ago. Among star attractions are the giant trunks of petrified sequoia trees and tiny fossils of pistachio nuts and olive leaves.
There's a gift shop and small cafe, and the museum staff often give impromptu tours for free.
