Why is the presence of coal deposits in cold regions an indication of continental drift?

The presence of coal deposits in cold regions suggests continental drift because coal forms from the accumulation of plant material in warm, swampy environments. When coal deposits are found in areas that are now cold, it indicates that those regions were once located closer to the equator, where the climate was suitable for dense vegetation. This supports the theory of continental drift, which posits that continents have moved over geological time from their original positions. The alignment of coal deposits with past tropical conditions provides evidence of the shifting continents.