Coal is the most abundant of the fossil fuels and is widely distributed across the world. Approximately 27% of the global coal reserves are located in the United States.
Where Is Coal Found?
Coal-Bearing Areas of the United States
Source: USGS
Coal-Bearing Areas of the United States
Source: USGS
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Coal is an abundant resource in the United States, with major deposits in several regions, as shown in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) map to the right:
Appalachian region (PA, OH, WV, KY, TN, AL),
Midwest (Illinois Basin – IL, IN, KY),
Gulf Coast region (TX, LA, AR, MS), and
West (Colorado Plateau, Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains – UT, CO, AZ, NM, WY, SD, ND, MT).
In general, specific types of coal can be found concentrated in specific areas::
Lignite -MT, TX, and ND
Subbituminous coal – west of the Mississippi River, mostly in MT and WY
Bituminous – east of the Mississippi River, greatest amounts in IL, KY, and WV
