Italian researchers have
discovered a fossilised forest in Antarctica's Allan Hills,
according to reports Thursday.
Four scientists from the University of Siena operating
under the Italian national Antarctic research programme found
numerous tree trunks dating back to the Triassic period around
250 million years ago.
Burned areas found on the trunks raised intriguing
questions and theories.
"Many were charred on the side exposed on the surface and
in addition they were all aligned," wrote Franco Talarico, a
member of the group.
"Instead other trunks were completely charred, and the
large quantity of carbonised fossilised trunks in all
probability demonstrates the spread of huge fires that would
have completely destroyed the Triassic forest over a vast area,"
he continued.
The origin of the fires remains a mystery, although the
scientists say they could have been caused by volcanic eruptions
or the impact of an asteriod.
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