The Savane des Pétrifications (Savannah of Petrifications) borders the southeastern tip of Martinique over 25 acres (10 ha). It owes its name to the petrified - i.e. fossilized or silicified - tree trunks and branches that once stood out against the horizon. If these geological remains have now disappeared, looted by collectors and local residents, the name has remained. Petrified wood is a type of fossil that spans geological time through its mineralization. Its organic matter is replaced by minerals (silicates), while the original anatomical structure of the wood is partially retained. The process of petrification occurs when the wood is buried under a layer of sediments. It is first preserved due to the lack of oxygen before being impregnated by water rich in minerals that, over time, crystallize in different ways. The extent of the color palette of petrified wood fascinates collectors and is due to the chemical components carried by water during the petrification process.