Coal contains the energy stored by plants that lived hundreds of millions of years ago in swampy forests. Layers of dirt and rock covered the plants over millions of years. The resulting pressure and heat turned the plants into the substance we call coal.

How was coal formed answer?

Coal formed millions of years ago when the earth was covered with huge swampy forests where plants – giant ferns, reeds and mosses – grew. … Heat and pressure produced chemical and physical changes in the plant layers which forced out oxygen and left rich carbon deposits.

What is the original source of coal?

It is generally accepted that coal originated from plant debris including ferns, trees, bark, leaves, roots and seeds some of which accumulated and settled in swamps. This unconsolidated accumulation of plant remains is called peat. Peat is being formed today in marshes and bogs.