From Science Frontiers #51, MAY
FORESTS FROZEN IN TIME
Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian Arctic is only 700 miles south of the present North Pole. Little grows there today, but there is on these icy
shores the remnant of a forest that flourished 45 million years ago, according to conventional geological dating of the strata. A University of
Saskatchewan scientist, J. Bassinger, has been studying the 15-20 layers ofstumps, some with diameters of 3 feet, and logs up to 30 feet long. Even rather blackish leaves survive in the soil. This once lush forest boasted trees like dawn redwoods and water firs; being analogous to Florida's Cypress Swamp in the Everglades. So excellent is the preservation of the forest that its wood cuts as if it were recent lumber and burns readily.
(Howse, John; "Forestry Frozen in Time," Maclean's Magazine, p. 55,
September 8, 1986. Cr. B. Ickes)
Comment.
Question 1: Even if the earth was warmer 45 million years ago, could a tropical-type forest survive the nearly six months of total darkness at Axel Heiberg Island?
Question 2: Can wood be preserved so well for so long? In the postulated warmer climate, there must have been many chemical and biological agents to promote rotting.
Also relevant is the discovery, reported below, that wood that floats and burns with ease has been found in Antarctica. This Antarctic wood has been dated at 3 million years.
From Science Frontiers #51, MAY-JUN 1987. © 1987-2000 William R. Corliss
Hi Lesley,
I really don't have an answer, but this reminded me of something I saw
once. I was visiting a rock shop and saw a real buffalo skull
completely encrusted in crystal. I have often wondered how that
happened and where it was found. It had to be perfect conditions
(whatever that may be) for the bone not to deteriorate. Awesome sight!
Also, I came across this today concerning carbon dating.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=001851641145319&rtmo=rQrDEbmX&atmo=rr
rrrrrq&pg=/et/01/6/30/wdate30.html
MaTa 
Corliss
DD
From Science Frontiers #51, MAY
FORESTS FROZEN IN TIME
Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian Arctic is only 700 miles south of the present North Pole. Little grows there today, but there is on these icy
shores the remnant of a forest that flourished 45 million years ago, according to conventional geological dating of the strata. A University of
Saskatchewan scientist, J. Bassinger, has been studying the 15-20 layers ofstumps, some with diameters of 3 feet, and logs up to 30 feet long. Even rather blackish leaves survive in the soil. This once lush forest boasted trees like dawn redwoods and water firs; being analogous to Florida's Cypress Swamp in the Everglades. So excellent is the preservation of the forest that its wood cuts as if it were recent lumber and burns readily.
(Howse, John; "Forestry Frozen in Time," Maclean's Magazine, p. 55,
September 8, 1986. Cr. B. Ickes)
Comment.
Question 1: Even if the earth was warmer 45 million years ago, could a tropical-type forest survive the nearly six months of total darkness at Axel Heiberg Island?
Question 2: Can wood be preserved so well for so long? In the postulated warmer climate, there must have been many chemical and biological agents to promote rotting.
Also relevant is the discovery, reported below, that wood that floats and burns with ease has been found in Antarctica. This Antarctic wood has been dated at 3 million years.
From Science Frontiers #51, MAY-JUN 1987. © 1987-2000 William R. Corliss
You know DD, those were my thoughts exactly!
Les
Leslee,
Some thoughts by marshall gadner on the matter-
" Why also should explorers find the inhospitable ice cliffs of the far north covered in large areas with the red pollen of an unknown plant? And why should they find the seeds of tropical plants floating in these waters when they are not found in more southern waters? How should logs and branches of trees, sometimes with fresh buds on them be found in these waters, all being borne down by the warm currents from the north? "
DD
Subject: Re: [allplanets-hollow] FORESTS FROZEN IN TIME
You know DD, those were my thoughts exactly!
Les
DD
Leslee,
Gardner also brought up the presence of mosquitos at the tip of Greenland. There are no mosquitos in the mid section of Greenland, only ice two miles thick. But green grass grows around the Northern tip. I wonder if the polar opening helps to spread some warmth around? The Northern coast of Alaska is also warmer than the interior of the state.
DD
"Why should the northern parts of Greenland be the world's greatest habitat of the mosquito, an insect which is only found in warm countries? How could it have gotten to Greenland if it came from the south? Where do all the foxes and hares go which are seen traveling north in Greenland? Where did the bears go? Was it possible that such large creatures as bears could find sustenance on plains of eternal ice? "
leslee,
There is almost constant fog in the area of the opening.
Diplomas? How about a pat on the back and a handshake?
DD
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 10:18 PMSubject: [allplanets-hollow] Mosquitos
DD wrote:
<Gardner also brought up the presence of mosquitos at the tip of Greenland. There are no mosquitos in the mid section of Greenland, only ice two miles thick. But green grass grows around the Northern tip. I wonder if the polar opening helps to spread some warmth around? The Northern coast of Alaska is also warmer than the interior of the state.
********It would almost have to work as a sort of underground heater I would imagine? Almost like a pressure cooker, or a steamer, or a chimney stack with it's billowing smoke. At least that is how I imagine the opening in the Arctic to be? A guess is all. Mosquitoes like humidity also, which goes with the steam idea of mine.
I can see I need to order another book and read Gardner.
Do we get diploma's at the end DD? <grin>
Leslee
http://skywebsite.com/hollow/arctic/id7.html