In the Fichtel Mountains near Selb, researchers have made a remarkable discovery that has shed light on the prehistoric past. While exploring a volcanic crater in the region, they discovered 20-million-year-old tree pollen, which has allowed them to reconstruct the forest of that time. This finding has provided valuable insights into the vegetation in the area during that period.
The Bavarian State Office for the Environment announced this discovery and highlighted its significance in understanding the ancient landscape. The volcanic crater in the Fichtel Mountains was created by a major eruption millions of years ago, and this natural disaster has turned out to be fortuitous for modern research. Geoscientists from the Technical University of Darmstadt were commissioned to collect fossil pollen from the crater, leading to the discovery of the primeval forest that once thrived in the region.
The research has revealed a fascinating timeline of how the vegetation evolved in the area after the volcanic eruption. Ferns were the first to grow, followed by elms and hickory trees. Eventually, a mixed forest of pine, spruce, copper beech, chestnut, and walnut plants emerged. This sequence of plant growth provides valuable insights into the ecological history of the Fichtel Mountains and gives us a glimpse into the ancient environment that existed there.
This discovery has opened up new possibilities for studying the region’s geological and ecological past. By piecing together
