I know that at some point in the distant past when trees fell. There is no microbes or anything to decompose that they just laid there. Then after a period time microbes and other things were able to break down the trees. Which at some point that became coal.

What I’m curious about Is that the only time that coal was able to be created? That was worded poorly. What I’m curious of is that group of trees that fell over during that period of time is that the only trees that was to create coal. Or is this an ongoing process?

In other words, the trees that fall today will be at some point become coal?

  • Hjalmar@feddit.nu
    31·
    2 days ago

    I have another, related, question. What would be a sustainable amount of coal usage globally per year, matching the speed of the formation process? Is it something like a few grams per year or even less, maybe on the order of miligrams or micrograms? Or maybe a lot more, I have no idea

    • starlinguk@lemmy.world
      4·
      2 days ago

      There is no formation process. Coal exists because there were NO microbes to rot organic materials down. Coal stopped forming when microbes arrived on the scene.

      • Hjalmar@feddit.nu
        1·
        2 days ago

        Are there any other fossile files that still form? Like in a swamp somewhere where the microbes can’t keep up? Or are fossile fule formation totaly a thing of the past?

        EDIT: someone else says that it’s still forming and quoted* a source for that

        EDIT 2: *linked