coalificationn.
/ˌkəʊlᵻfᵻˈkeɪʃn/, U.S. /ˈkoʊləfəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ Geology.
The process by which deposits of plant remains in the earth are transformed into coal, as a result of chemical and physical changes brought about by high pressures and temperatures over long periods.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > formation of rock or stone > [noun] > formation of coal
coalification1901
1901 Amer. Geologist 27 9 The pyritous concretions in the What Cheer coal furnish us with samples of what may be called the raw material of coal saved from coalification by these concentrations of iron, sulphur, lime, etc.
1932 Discovery Aug. 246/1 The changes in composition during the coalification process..involve only the elimination of oxygen.
1995 A. M. Cvancara Field Man. Amateur Geologist (rev. ed.) xvi. 209 Burial by overlying..sediment compresses the peat and coalification occurs.
2008 Dominion Post (Wellington, N.Z.) (Nexis) 3 Sept. 3 The..company is targeting up to 300 petajoules of coal-seam gas—a natural byproduct of coalification.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1901