The process of how Burmese Amber is formed.
The process of how Burmese Amber is formed is a complex process that takes place over millions of years. The basic process can be broken down into the following steps:
1. Resin production: The first step in the formation of amber is the production of resin by trees. Resin is a sticky, sap-like substance that is produced by many types of trees, including conifers and angiosperms, as a defense mechanism against insects and disease.
2. Resin flow: Once the resin is produced, it flows out of the tree and hardens on the surface of the bark. This hardened resin is called copal.
3. Resin transport: The copal can be transported by various means such as rivers, wind, or animals. In the case of Burmese Amber, it is believed that the resin was transported by rivers into the ancient delta of the Hukawng Valley.
4. Burial: As the resin is transported by rivers into the delta, it is buried in sediment. Over time, the sediment turns into rock and the resin is buried deeper and deeper.
5. Fossilization: As the resin is buried deeper and deeper, it begins to fossilize. This process involves the gradual transformation of the organic material in the resin into a mineral-like substance. The resin becomes harder, more transparent, and more resistant to weathering and erosion.
6. Amber formation: The final step in the formation of amber is the complete transformation of the resin into amber. This process can take millions of years, and the final product is a hard, transparent mineral that is rich in organic material.
It is worth noting that the process of amber formation is not fully understood and there are different theories about how it happens. However, the basic process of resin production, transport, burial, and fossilization is generally accepted by scientists.