What does tar pit mean?

Definitions for tar pit
tar pit

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word tar pit.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. tar pitnoun

    a natural accumulation of bitumens at the surface of the earth; often acts as a trap for animals whose bones are thus preserved

Wikipedia

  1. Tar pit

    Tar pits, sometimes referred to as asphalt pits, are large asphalt deposits. They form in the presence of oil, which is created when decayed organic matter is subjected to pressure underground. If this crude oil seeps upward via fractures, conduits, or porous sedimentary rock layers, it may pool up at the surface. The lighter components of the crude oil evaporate into the atmosphere, leaving behind a black, sticky asphalt. Tar pits are often excavated because they contain large fossil collections.Tar pits form above oil reserves, and these deposits are often found in anticlinal traps. In fact, about 80 percent of petroleum found on Earth has been found in anticlinal traps. Anticlines are folds in stratigraphic layers in which each half of the fold dips away from the crest. Such structures are usually developed above thrust faults or in tectonic regions where the land is bending and folding. If the structure above the concave-down fold (arch) is a non-porous rock or aquitard, such as shale, it is considered an anticlinal trap. The figure in this section is a cartoon cross-section diagram that shows oil stuck in an anticlinal trap. If there is a fault or fracture in the overlying strata above the oil reserve, the oil may migrate to the surface. This is possible by capillary fringe and because oil is less dense than water.

ChatGPT

  1. tar pit

    A tar pit is a natural sinkhole or pond where asphalt and other forms of petroleum seep to the surface from underground deposits, often trapping and preserving plants, insects, and animals. They are renowned as significant archaeological and paleontological sites due to the preserved remains of prehistoric organisms found within them.

Wikidata

  1. Tar pit

    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.

Matched Categories

How to pronounce tar pit?

How to say tar pit in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of tar pit in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of tar pit in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3


Translations for tar pit

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for tar pit »

Translation

Find a translation for the tar pit definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"tar pit." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/tar+pit>.

Discuss these tar pit definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for tar pit? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    tar pit

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    the act of making a noisy disturbance
    A abide
    B rumpus
    C cleave
    D render

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for tar pit: