Final answer:
Coal is a fossil fuel formed from plant remains that were buried and subjected to heat and pressure, then pushed upwards by tectonic activity to be found at the tops of mountains. The correct answer is C) The coal formed as a swamp, was buried, and then pushed up by tectonic activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coal is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of plants that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. These plants were originally part of vast swamp forests, such as those from the Carboniferous Period. After the plants died, they were buried under layers of sediment and subjected to high temperatures and pressures, leading to the formation of coal deposits. Over time, geological processes such as the movement of tectonic plates can push these deposits upwards, resulting in coal being found at the tops of mountains.
The correct answer to how coal came to be at the top of the mountain is thus C) The coal formed as a swamp, was buried, and then pushed up by tectonic activity. Coal deposits that are found in mountainous regions are typically the result of these deposits being raised by the earth's crust movements, rather than being carried by erosion or volcanic activity, or flowing from the mantle.
Factors such as the presence of sea water during the formation period can affect the sulfur content in coal, with high sulfur content contributing to air pollution when the coal is burnt. Remediation efforts are underway to reduce the sulfur content of coal to minimize environmental impacts.