In Earth's geological history, which one of the following period is characterized by large-scale formation of coal?

ACambrian period

BOrdovician period

CSilurian period

DCarboniferous period ✓ Correct

Correct answer: (D) Carboniferous period

Explanation

The Carboniferous period is marked by large-scale formation of coal from vast swamp forests.

Its warm, humid conditions buried huge amounts of plant matter that turned into coal seams.

The Cambrian period is known for the explosion of early marine life, not coal.

The Ordovician period saw diversification of sea life but no major coal formation.

The Silurian period marked the first land plants but not large coal deposits.

The very name Carboniferous means coal-bearing.

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