Tertiary fossil forests of the Geodetic Hills, Axel Heiberg Island, Arctic Archipelago / editors, R.L. Christie, N.J. McMillan. : M42-403E-PDF

"Fossil forests are ancient forests whose tree stumps have been preserved in growth position. The Tertiary fossil forests of the Canadian Arctic were first described in 1886, but their significance and diversity were not realized until 1955 when Geological Survey of Canada geologists participating in Operation Franklin re-examined them. In 1985, GSC geologists identified another site east of Geodetic Hills on Axel Heiberg Island. Here, as elsewhere in the Arctic, the wood and forest mat are mummified. In some places the wood is so well preserved, it still retains fairly high amounts of original organic matter and looks like modern wood. This bulletin contains a multidisciplinary study by several scientists, who have addressed the geological setting, the characteristics of the wood and fossil soils, as well as aspects of paleomagnetism, palynology, and paleobotany. Insight is given into how forests adapted to warm high latitudes and accompanying long periods of darkness. The existence of mature forests so close to the north pole in Tertiary time indicates the degree to which global climate has varied in the past, and is significant in our understanding of global change. Although scientists will no doubt add to our knowledge of fossil forests in the future, this publication is a fine, solid foundation for future research"--Preface.

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