沥青湖是在大约5000万年前由海底生物腐残余物质所形成的。渗入岩层，由于地层的移动而浮出地表，在凹陷地域形成沥青湖。

A tar pit, or more accurately an asphalt pit or asphalt lake, is the result of a type of petroleum seep 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.