How Natural Gas Is Made

The natural gas that we use to heat our homes and our water comes from deep under the earth.

The gas is found in layers of rock with tiny holes - the rock holds the gas like a sponge. To bring it to the surface, gas companies drill down hundreds of feet and pump into pipes.

But how did the natural gas get there?

You already know that dinosaurs roamed the earth millions of years ago.

When the dinosaurs and the plants they ate died, the remains were buried under many layers of rock and soil.

Over time, the tremendous heat and pressure created by the layers of earth turned the animal and plant matter into natural gas and petroleum (oil).

That's why natural gas is called a "fossil fuel.”

More fun facts about natural gas