Coal is primarily formed from which of the following?

Coal is primarily formed from the remains of plants that have been buried over millions of years and subjected to intense pressure and heat. This process, known as coalification, occurs in environments where plant material accumulates, such as swampy areas. Over time, layers of sediment cover these plant remains, and as the weight of the overlying material increases, the pressure forces out moisture and volatile components, transforming the organic material into coal.

The organic matter that eventually becomes coal originated from various types of vegetation, including ferns, trees, and other plant materials, which contributed to the carbon content essential for coal's formation. As the temperature and pressure conditions change, different types of coal can form, ranging from lignite to anthracite, each with varying carbon content and energy potential.

The other options do not accurately describe the formation of coal. Minerals subjected to extreme heat pertain more to the formation of metamorphic rocks rather than coal. Seaweed deposits primarily form different types of fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, rather than coal. Lastly, sandstone and tectonic activity relate to geological processes that can lead to the formation of various rock types but do not play a direct role in coal formation.