A tar pit, or more accurately known as an asphalt pit or asphalt lake, is a geological occurrence where subterranean bitumen leaks to the surface, creating a large area of natural asphalt. This happens because after the material reaches the surface its lighter components vaporize, leaving only the thick asphalt.
Read more about Tar Pit: Known Tar Pits, Paleontological Significance, Living Organisms
Famous quotes containing the words tar and/or pit:
“The mob is man voluntarily descending to the nature of the beast. Its fit hour of activity is night. Its actions are insane like its whole constitution. It persecutes a principle; it would whip a right; it would tar and feather justice, by inflicting fire and outrage upon the houses and persons of those who have these. It resembles the prank of boys, who run with fire-engines to put out the ruddy aurora streaming to the stars.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“A tiger in a deep pit can be bullied by dogs.”
—Chinese proverb.