Why oldest amber in the world is found only in the Hukawng Valley of Kachin State, Myanmar.
Burmese Amber, also known as Burmite, is considered the oldest amber in the world and is found only in the Hukawng Valley of Kachin State, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). There are several reasons why Burmese Amber is unique and why it is only found in this specific location:
1. Geology: The Hukawng Valley has a unique geology that is conducive to the formation of amber. The valley is located in a tectonically active region and has a complex geological history that includes multiple cycles of uplift and erosion. This has led to the formation of a specific type of rock known as amber-bearing clay, which is rich in organic material and ideal for the preservation of amber.
2. Age: Burmese Amber is estimated to be around 99 million years old, making it the oldest known amber in the world. This is because the Hukawng Valley was located in a tropical region during the Cenozoic era, a time when lush forests and a diverse array of plant and animal life existed. The resin from these ancient trees was washed into the river and eventually buried in sediment, which hardened into amber over millions of years.
3. Preservation: The amber-bearing clay in the Hukawng Valley is believed to have formed in an ancient river delta, which protected the amber from erosion and weathering. This has led to the preservation of the inclusions, including insects, plants, and other organic materials, that are found in Burmese Amber.
4. Inclusions: Burmese Amber is known to contain the largest and most diverse variety of terrestrial arthropods, including ants, spiders, beetles, and more. This is because the amber was formed during a time when the diversity of arthropods was high, and the preservation in the river delta allowed for the inclusions to be well-preserved
5. Isolation: The Hukawng Valley is isolated and remote, which has protected it from human activity and allowed the amber to be preserved for millions of years.
It is worth noting that other countries like Canada, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic also have amber deposits, but they are not as old or contain as many inclusions as Burmese Amber.