[Zeddicus]

Ok, I have a really stupid question. Was there ever a time in earth's history where the artic circle had a climate that would have sustained lush prehistoric animal or plant growth? How did all these "fossil fuels" get up there in the first place?

[Moonman62]

Ok, I have a really stupid question. Was there ever a time in earth's history where the artic circle had a climate that would have sustained lush prehistoric animal or plant growth?

Yes, but I believe oil comes from sea life, especially algae. Coal comes from land plants.

[agere_contra]

Any patch of land within the Arctic circle has been in far warmer climes closer to the equator (and also has been above or below sea-level) at various times during the lifetime of the planet.

Except Iceland, because that is all new land.

Hope this is helpful.

[webschooner]

Ok, I have a really stupid question. Was there ever a time in earth's history where the artic circle had a climate that would have sustained lush prehistoric animal or plant growth? How did all these "fossil fuels" get up there in the first place?

Actually, it's a really good question, which I don't know the answer to. However, Greenland is called that because it once was, a 'green land', so perhaps it's possible the Arctic wasn't a popsicle at some time in history.

But never fear, I suppose AlGore, who invented sliced bread, the printing press, the Internet, and all prolly (thinks he) knows.

[thackney]

Yes, many dinosaur fossils have been found on the Alaskan North Slope. But most petroleum geologists and those in related fields that find oil believe that the primary organic source of oil is items like plankton and algae.

Dinosaurs on Alaska’s North Slope
http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ak/aktest/culture_res/culture_pdfs.Par.48740.File.dat/alaska_dinosaurs.pdf

How Was Oil Formed?
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/oil.html#Howformed

Keep in mind that the sedimentary rock most oil is found is from a time period older than the current location of our continents.

[Cold Heat]

Sea Life.....

[TheBattman]

Ok, I have a really stupid question. Was there ever a time in earth's history where the artic circle had a climate that would have sustained lush prehistoric animal or plant growth? How did all these "fossil fuels" get up there in the first place?

Careful- that is an awfully inconvenient question for those who support an "Old earth/evolutionary concept"...

[ChiefJayStrongbow]

Calcium Carbonate (seashells), saltwater, and pressure create oil.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Good question, the answer is yes. A petrified forest (jungle) has been discovered on Baffin Island.

[doc11355]

Was there ever a time in earth's history where the artic circle had a climate that would have sustained lush prehistoric animal or plant growth? How did all these "fossil fuels" get up there in the first place?

Good question. The answer is "continental drift" due to plate tectonics.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_drift