The Carboniferous in Rhode Island, US

Paleontology and geology

During the Early Carboniferous (Mississippian), Pangea began to pull apart forming the rift basin that would become Narraganset Bay (eastern Rhode Island).

Sediments poured into the basin in the Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) forming a low-lying, swampy area. Rocks of this age are exposed in many areas around the Bay. Although these rocks were later metamorphosed, coal layers and fragments of fossil plants can still be found.