Investigation of petrified logs, palaeobotanical materical and tree growth rings from Allan Hills for intrepretation of the palaeoclimate of the area

Allan Hills is known for its record of climate preserved in petrified logs 260 million years old in the Wellar coal measure. A study of the logs is part of a wider study on ancient forests in Jurassic strata at Curio Bay and Kawhia in New Zealand. Samples of palaeobotanical material was collected for processing for spores and pollen grains. Silicified foosil wood was found in several coal and fluvial sandstone beds of the Permian Wellar Coal Measures, exposed extensively within the central basin of Allan Hills. Around 50 samples were collected. Growth ring measurements were used to indicate sensitivity of the trees to environmental conditions during growth, providing data for an interpretation of Permian palaeoclimate at this locality. Taxonic identification of the wood was used for comparisons with Jurassic fossil forests at Kawhia Harbour, New Zealand.