Una conifera fossile nel Cretaceo inferiore della Valla del Vajont (Friuli Venezia Giulia)

The Vajont Valley – which is famous for the devastating landslide happened in 1963 – has recently been studied with respect to its geological formation. The results will be presented in a prospective museum on “EcoMuseo Vajont – continuità di vita “. A fossil trunk preserved in a Valanginian cherty limestone of Calcare di Soccher formation was found. Preliminary analysis of the thin sections from the perimedullar part of the trunk, revealed the perfect preservation of the internal structure (tissues and cell walls). Chemical analyses suggested that the fossil trunk is an example of mixed fossilization: permineralization and incomplete carbonization. The microscope analysis revealed the pycnoxylic structure of the secondary xylem and the presence of amber deposits. Despite the lack of resin ducts, the above details suggested that the fossil trunk belongs to the class of Gymnospermopsida, order Coniferales