coal measures

American  

plural noun

Geology.

1. coal-bearing strata.

2. (initial capital letters) in Europe, a portion of the Carboniferous System, characterized by widespread coal deposits.

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Coal Measures British  

plural noun

1. a series of coal-bearing rocks formed in the upper Carboniferous period; the uppermost series of the Carboniferous system

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Etymology

Origin of coal measures

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

There would probably never be found another unbroken period of a duration equal to that of the coal measures.

From The Galaxy Vol. 23, No. 1 by Various

The remains of these ancient forests have formed the coal measures, which tell of the most widespread and longest enduring growth of vegetation the world has seen.

From The Geological Story of the Isle of Wight by Hughes, J. Cecil

We began with an age of dwarfs, we end with an age of giants, which is carried on into the lower coal measures.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 15 — Science by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir

At the southern extremity of the limestone a small patch of coal measures is found.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 3 "Capefigue" to "Carneades" by Various

In the coal measures are found the mummied remains of these prehistoric conifers.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen