When the English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh landed in Trinidad in the West Indies in 1595, was the first European who heard about the Tierra de Brea or Pitch, where there are large deposits of tar (bitumen or asphalt). It's strange, but fascinating place, probablywith the largest deposits of tar in the world, is now known as Trinidad Lake Asphalt.Lake covers an area of 44 hectares and is 82 m deep. Created 50 million years ago from the decaying remains of sea creatures.As a result of this process produced the hydrocarbons that pass through permeable rocks. Later, the movement of rocks, was elevated to the surface, and the sun burnt them on it so hard crust that you can walk on it.
Asphalt on the surface of the lake creates a dark platinum, and in the hollows between them is collected rain water. The lake is in constant motion, because the asphalt moves from the center outwards. As a result of gas evolution, from time to time hear a strangegurgle.
