Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun An accumulation of natural tar or asphalt at the earth's surface, especially one that traps animals and preserves their bones and other hard parts.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a natural accumulation of bitumens at the surface of the earth; often acts as a trap for animals whose bones are thus preserved
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treeseed commented on the word tar pit
A tar pit, or more properly asphalt pit, is a geological occurrence where subterranean bitumen leaks to the surface, creating a large puddle, pit, or lake of asphalt.
_Wikipedia
The La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles are so cool.
The La Brea Tar Pits (or Rancho La Brea Tar Pits) are a famous cluster of tar pits located in Hancock Park in the urban heart of Los Angeles, California, United States. Asphalt (colloquially termed tar, which in Spanish is termed brea) has seeped up from the ground in this area for tens of thousands of years, forming hundreds of sticky pools that trapped animals and plants which happened to enter. Over time, the asphalt fossilized the remains. The result is an incredibly rich collection of fossils dating from the last ice age.
_Wikipedia
February 11, 2008