CHANGSHA, July 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese scientists have discovered throngs of exposed silicified wood, dating back 150 million years ago, in the western part of central China's Hunan province.

    Initial investigations show that the number of these silicified trees might top several thousands and scientists claimed that it was a rare discovery in the world.

    Scattered in a three-sq km area in Guzhang county and imbedded in the stratum of the Cretaceous period, these red silicified wood has clean growth rings with red and white lines alternating with each other.

    This silicified wood has a diameter ranging from 20 cm to 80 cm,and has at least 100 rings to more than 200 at most.

    Silicified wood, known as woodstone, are fossilized remains of pine and cypress trees, cycad, maidenhair trees and other arbor trees that had been around some 150 million years ago.

    Large groups of silicified wood have been spotted in the United States and in three counties of Qitai, Jimsar and Mulei in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwest China.

    Experts acknowledged that woodstone is of scientific value in the study of geophysics, cause of formation of the earth, ancient climate, ancient extinct life, origin and variation of life.

    They held the woodstone discovered in Guzhang county would constitute a new section and textual research for geo-science development of China and the world. Enditem