In geology, petrifaction or petrification is the process by which organic material is converted into stone or a similar substance. It is approximately synonymous with fossilization. Petrified wood is the most well known result of this process.
The Grotto of the Redemption is the world's largest collection of petrifications and rocks located in one site.
Folklore
Petrifaction is also common theme in folklore and mythology, and is associated with the legends of Medusa the Gorgon, the basilisk, and the cockatrice, among others.
In various role-playing games, petrification is a state characters can enter as a result of magical spells or artifacts. In this state characters are unable to perform any physical action, and may be unable to perform mental actions as well. They may be dead. They usually must be recovered (if at all) by some magical means, such as a "stone to flesh" spell in Dungeons & Dragons or a "soft" potion in Final Fantasy games.
Figuratively, the word can also refer to a state of paralysis resulting from fear.
Many fossils are preserved through the process of petrification (also called mineralization).
Petrification occurs when water carries minerals into the pore structures of parts of buried organisms, leaving the minerals behind.
When the dyed water is naturally sucked into the celery by capillary action, it mimics groundwater moving into the pore spaces of bones and plants, leaving minerals behind in the pore spaces as happens in petrification.
Permineralization is commonly confused with petrification, in which the original material of an organism is replaced with minerals, and the pore space is infilled with minerals.
Petrification occurs when a living object is slowly turned to stone of a huge number of years.
Petrification (petros means stone) occurs when the organic matter is completely replaced by minerals and the fossil is turned to stone.
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