Fossil Fuel Formation

Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas

Formation of Fossil Fuel

Fossil Fuel Formation

Fossil fuels include coal, oil and natural gas. They are non-renewable forms of energy that are commonly used to provide energy to meet our needs. Forming fossil fuels requires very specific conditions.

Coal is one type of fossil fuel. It was formed very slowly, a very long time ago from trees and other plants that were submerged under water. Instead of rotting, the wood and plant matter was covered with layers of mud and sand. Over time, heat and pressure turned the material into coal.

Oil is sometimes referred to as petroleum. It formed from the deep burial and decomposition of dead plants and animals. Heat and pressure, in the absence of oxygen, changed the decomposed material into crude oil. Petroleum, or oil, is used for energy and many products.

Millions of years ago, the remains of plants and animals decayed and built up in thick layers. Over time, the sand and silt changed to rock, covered it, and trapped it beneath the rock. Pressure and heat changed some of this matter into coal and oil. Some of it was trapped as pockets of gases known as natural gas.

Because fossil fuels take such a long time to form, the supply we have on Earth today will one day run out. Our current way of life relies heavily on the use of fossil fuels. We must be wise in our use of this energy source (conserve energy) and develop other energy sources (alternative energy) to meet our current and future energy needs.