Coal main content.

Coal

Part of Hall of Planet Earth.

Coal AMNH/R.Mickens

Exhibition Text

This coal contains metamorphosed organic matter (carbon) and brassy-colored iron sulfide minerals formed from decaying plants.  The plants were buried in swamps and marshes to form peat, and latter converted to coal by heat and pressure resulting from deeper burial.

Donated by Pittsburgh Research Center, Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

For Educators

Topic: Earth Science

Subtopic: Minerals and Resources

Keywords: Carbon cycle (Biogeochemistry), Coal

Audience: General