Oil and gas form from:
A) accumulation of inorganic material, such as clay particles in shale
B) oxidation of organic material at the surface
C) heating of rocks to metamorphic temperatures at least 400°C)
D) heating and breakdown of long hydrocarbon chains into smaller molecules

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Oil and gas primarily form from the heating and breakdown of long hydrocarbon chains into smaller molecules. This process, known as thermal cracking, occurs deep within the Earth's crust where organic-rich material (like plankton and plants) gets buried and subjected to increased temperatures and pressures, transforming it into hydrocarbons over millions of years.

Oil and Gas Form From