Puyango Petrified Forest
El Oro
The Puyango Petrified Forest is a remarkable natural fossil deposit located in the middle basin of the Puyango River, spanning the provinces of El Oro and Loja in Ecuador. Covering 2,658 hectares, it preserves an exceptional collection of petrified wood, primarily from the Araucarioxylon genus, dating back about 100 million years. The site also contains fossilized leaves from primitive plants resembling ferns and palms, along with marine invertebrate fossils such as bivalves, ammonites, and echinoderms. Situated between 360 and 500 meters above sea level, the forest represents one of the few remnants of dry tropical forest in southwestern Ecuador, featuring natural vegetation preserved by steep slopes and ravines. Originally a prehistoric sea, the area transitioned to forested land, with fossils ranging from 60 to 500 million years old, exposed today due to geological uplift. The Puyango Petrified Forest is recognized as one of the largest and most compact petrified wood collections worldwide, comparable to Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park. It was declared a protected forest in 1987 and an Important Bird Area in 2005, home to 161 bird species, including many endemic to the dry forest ecosystem.
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Consejo: The best time to visit Puyango Petrified Forest is during the dry season from May to December for easier access and clearer weather. However, visiting during the rainy season (winter) offers a dramatically changed landscape due to increased rainfall. Advance planning is recommended as the site is managed by local prefectures and municipalities, and visitors should respect conservation rules to protect the delicate ecosystem. No specific ticket prices are mentioned, but checking with local authorities for guided tours and available discounts can enhance the experience.
Datos interesantes
- •The petrified trees belong mainly to the Araucarioxylon genus and are about 100 million years old.
- •The largest petrified tree specimen is approximately 2 meters in diameter and 15 meters long.
- •The fossil deposit includes both plant fossils and marine invertebrates like ammonites and bivalves.
- •Puyango Petrified Forest is considered one of the largest compact collections of petrified wood in the world, comparable to the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, USA.
- •The site contains fossils dating from the late Cretaceous period, with some as old as 500 million years.
- •It is home to 161 bird species, including 43 species endemic to the dry forests of western Ecuador and northwestern Peru.
Historia
The Puyango Petrified Forest area was once a prehistoric sea, with the oldest fossils representing marine organisms dating back up to 500 million years.
Over time, the sea dried up and was replaced by forests and diverse fauna during the late Cretaceous period.
Natural events buried these organisms underground, where mineralization transformed wood and other materials into fossils.
Geological movements eventually exposed these remains, creating an extraordinary fossil site.
In 1987, the area was declared a protected forest to conserve its unique natural resources and dry forest remnants.
Later, in 2005, it was recognized as an Important Bird Area due to its rich avian biodiversity.
Guía del lugar
Petrified Trees of AraucarioxylonLate Cretaceous (~100 million years ago)
These fossilized trees are the main attraction, showcasing enormous trunks preserved in stone, some reaching 2 meters in diameter and 15 meters in length, illustrating the ancient Mesozoic flora.
Fossilized Leaves and PlantsLate Cretaceous
Fossils of primitive plants resembling modern ferns and palms, providing insight into the ancient vegetation that once thrived in the region.
Marine Invertebrate FossilsUp to 500 million years ago
Fossils of bivalves, ammonites, and echinoderms from when the area was a prehistoric sea, showcasing the transition from marine to terrestrial ecosystems.