Question

How is coals formed?

Answer 1

The energy in coal comes from energy that was stored in giant plants that lived hundreds of millions of years ago in swamp forests, even before the dinosaurs! When these giant plants and ferns died, they formed layers at the bottom of the swamps. Water and dirt began to pile up on top of the dead plant remains.

Answer 2

Millions of years ago land was low-lying and covered with thick swampy forests. As plants died, they fell into the swamp and began to decay. New vegetation pressed the dead plants to the bottom. Due to extreme pressure the vegetable matter changed into peat, lignite and coal.