The "Most Unusual" Lake in the World: Not Many Waters but Many Countries Want to Own It

Despite lacking water, this lake contains a compound that any country would desire.

In the La Brea village located in the southwestern part of Trinidad Island, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, there exists a lake known as Pitch Lake. Pitch Lake may not have much water, but it attracts many tourists. In fact, several countries around the world have expressed a desire to utilize this lake. What is it about Pitch Lake that makes it so coveted?

Pitch Lake, though lacking in water, is desired by every country. (Image: Baidu)

The Lake Without Water

The reason is that Pitch Lake is actually the largest natural asphalt lake in the world. Pitch Lake contains up to 10 million tons of asphalt. It can be said that Pitch Lake is the largest natural asphalt deposit in the world. Pitch Lake covers an area of 40 hectares and reaches a depth of 75 meters.

Pitch Lake was discovered in 1595 and has been exploited since 1867. It was in the late 16th century when Sir Walter Raleigh came to this country. During his exploration of the area, he was overwhelmed by the smell of asphalt in the air. The indigenous people led him to what they believed to be hell. When he arrived, he found a lake filled with a black substance, and Walter Raleigh is credited with discovering Pitch Lake.

Pitch Lake is the largest natural asphalt lake in the world. (Image: Baidu)

Scientists have concluded that the substances found in Pitch Lake are thousands of years old.

Pitch Lake formed after the Caribbean tectonic plate shifted and was covered by another landmass. This movement created cracks and caused the crude oil beneath the earth to seep to the surface. After a while, when the lighter elements of the crude oil evaporated, what remained was asphalt.

According to local legend, Pitch Lake once “devoured” a tribe because they consumed hummingbirds, which were believed to be the spirits of their ancestors. Therefore, the gods created Pitch Lake as a punishment for humanity.

Pitch Lake contains up to 10 million tons of asphalt. (Image: Baidu)

Another local legend connects Pitch Lake to the story of Callifaria, the daughter of a local chief. She ran away with her lover, Kasaka, a prince from a rival tribe. Her father chased after them and captured her. He then tied her to a horse to pull her back home. The Arawak god, upon learning of this, became furious and submerged her village into the ground, using asphalt to “cover” it.

Nature’s History Museum

According to Amusing Planet, during studies at Pitch Lake, scientists discovered numerous traces of prehistoric animals. In the lake, paleontologists have recovered bones from wolves, turtles, mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, bison, and various other invertebrates. They believe these animals accidentally fell and became trapped in the asphalt. It is the asphalt layer that has perfectly preserved their skeletons.

Paleontologists have recovered bones from prehistoric animals in the lake. (Image: Baidu)

Statistics from scientists indicate that 90% of the fossils in Pitch Lake belong to predatory species. Among them, there are 4,000 fossils of snow wolves, 2,000 fossils of saber-toothed tigers, and the rest are from North American wolves. Additionally, they have found fossils of predatory birds.

In 1928, a gigantic 4,000-year-old tree unexpectedly rose to the surface of Pitch Lake and then slowly sank again. From this event, scientists hypothesized that Pitch Lake is a similar environment to the hydrocarbon lakes on Titan, Saturn’s moon. If they can analyze all the substances in Pitch Lake, they may find answers regarding the existence of life in Titan’s hydrocarbon lakes.

Abundant Asphalt Resources

The asphalt in Pitch Lake is so thick that you can easily walk on its surface. However, if you stop, you will gradually sink. Because from the surface, Pitch Lake appears completely calm, but beneath, the flows of asphalt are constantly moving.

The asphalt in Pitch Lake is so thick that you can easily walk on its surface. (Image: Baidu)

The asphalt resources from Pitch Lake have been exploited for over 100 years and show no signs of depletion. Therefore, although the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has a population of less than 1.2 million, the country’s asphalt and oil resources make it a prime investment destination for international entrepreneurs.

Currently, Pitch Lake supplies 108,000 tons of bitumen (used for road asphalt), most of which is exported. The oil reserves primarily in Southern Trinidad provide more than 7 million tons per year (as of 1994). Natural gas extraction is also on the rise. Oil is exported to the United States and the United Kingdom. Most oil wells and refineries are owned by American companies. Hydrocarbon production accounts for 80% of the total value of exported products. As of 2016, Trinidad and Tobago’s GDP reached $22,809, ranking 106th in the world and first in the Caribbean region.

The roads in front of Buckingham Palace in England, LaGuardia Airport, and the Lincoln Tunnel in the United States are all famous structures that used asphalt from Pitch Lake for construction.

Scientists estimate that the asphalt reserves in Pitch Lake could be extracted for hundreds more years. (Image: Baidu)

To date, mining companies have extracted 10 million tons of asphalt, but Pitch Lake still has plenty left. Scientists speculate that there are vast oil reserves beneath the surface, and the asphalt resources may not be exhausted anytime soon. The asphalt under Pitch Lake could be extracted for hundreds more years.

After the rain, many small lakes form, attracting tourists to soak in. (Image: Baidu)

Additionally, Pitch Lake is a popular tourist destination. Each year, it attracts around 20,000 visitors. The peak tourist season is after the rainy season. After the rains, many small lakes form on the surface of Pitch Lake, containing a high concentration of sulfur. The water from these lakes is believed to cure joint and skin ailments. Therefore, tourists often come here to soak in these small lakes.