A paleobotanist discovers a fossilized tree that grew in a region with seasonal rainfall patterns. If the tree grew 0.5 cm per month during wet months (7 months per year) and 0.1 cm per month during dry months, how much did it grow over 20 years?

Tue, 05 May 2026 05:41:48 +0000

Title: Decoding Ancient Growth Patterns: A 20-Year Fossilized Tree’s Remarkable Rise from Seasonal Rainfall In a groundbreaking discovery, a paleobotanist has uncovered a fossilized tree that provides new insight into how ancient plants adapted to seasonal climates. Nestled in sedimentary layers of what was once a region with distinct wet and dry seasons, this fossil reveals the tree’s seasonal growth rhythm—paleobotanists use this data to reconstruct past climates and understand plant evolution. The fossil indicates the tree grew steadily year-round, with notable differences between wet and dry seasons. During the wet months—lasting 7 months per year—the tree expanded its annual ring by 0.5 cm monthly. In contrast, during the dry months (remaining 5 months), growth slowed to just 0.1 cm per month. ### Annual Growth Breakdown