| Coal is a resource produced deep within the earth | | | | organic matter, and coal is derived from ancient |
| over millions of years, and mined for the energy | | | | plants that died in swamps and wetlands in |
| stored within it. Coal is a fossil fuel, meaning it | | | | prehistoric times. The United States possesses |
| formed from the remains of organic matter | | | | the largest known coal reserves in the world. |
| which was subjected to intense heat and | | | | Today, we mine coal from the earth and use a |
| pressure from mounting dirt and rocks as it | | | | majority for generating electricity and in the |
| slowly became compressed deeper and deeper | | | | production of steel. We also use the byproducts |
| within the earth. Different types of fossil fuels | | | | of coal in various industries and export some to |
| form from the remains of different types of | | | | other countries. |