This is a brown-colored coal, having a carbon content between that of peat and bituminous coal. Lignite still has a large amount of visible plant material in its structure and is friable.

TEXTURE Less compact than other coals, lignite has a high moisture content and is crumbly. It also contains more volatiles and impurities.

ORIGIN A type of low-rank coal most commonly found in Tertiary and Mesozoic strata where changes have not occurred to the vegetable matter. Lignite also occasionally results from shallow burial of peat.

Grain size: Medium, Fine

Classification: Organic

Fossils: Plants

Grain shape: None