photo #4594413

Petrified Iron Ladder located in Jura, France, just south of Baume-les-Messieurs before you get to Grottes de Baume.The ladder most likely underwent the process of calcification. Being laid on the limestone surroundings known to contain calcium carbonate, when the rainwater poured over, it dissolved the carbonate compounds contained in limestone and subsequently soaked the surface of the ladder in calcium and magnesium ions. Over time, the minerals solidified and petrified the ladder's surface. Although researchers estimate the ladder is roughly 150 years old, it's unclear how it became petrified in such a short span of time.