natural asphalt

Natural asphalt, also known as brea, is a black or brown petroleum-like substance with a consistency ranging from a viscous liquid to a glassy solid. It is formed from the breakdown of organic marine deposits into petroleum and typically contains minerals. Asphalt is composed of hydrogen and carbon compounds, with smaller amounts of nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen.1

Historically, asphalt has been used for thousands of years, notably for waterproofing and paving. While natural sources like the Pitch Lake in Trinidad were once primary sources, petroleum has become the major source for asphalt production. In some regions, like the United States, bitumen is often referred to as asphalt, though bitumen is technically a denser, more viscous hydrocarbon found in oil sands and pitch lakes, or as a residue from crude oil distillation.12