Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
pyrobitumen

pyrobitumen

9.9
Hard black organic material in rock that forms when natural oil is heated
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : pirobitumen
  • Researchers are studying how pyrobitumen forms under high temperatures deep underground.
  • pyrobitumen and kerogen

Examples

  • Can you identify pyrobitumens in this rock sample?

  • The geologist discovered pyrobitumen in the sedimentary layers.

  • The geologist identified pyrobitumen in the ancient rock formation during the field study.

  • Extraction of oil from shale often leaves behind solid pyrobitumen as a residue.

  • Pyrobitumen is formed when bitumen undergoes thermal alteration in certain geological conditions.

  • Scientists studied the pyrobitumen in the rock samples to understand its formation process.

  • The presence of pyrobitumen in the strata indicates high temperature and pressure during sediment deposition.

Surface Forms

pyrobitumen singular
pyrobitumens plural

Morphology

pyrobitumen = bitumen (semi-transparent) = pyro + bitumen

The word is built straightforwardly from the combining form 'pyro-' meaning heat/fire and 'bitumen', but the result is a specialized geological term.

Etymology

The word pyrobitumen combines pyro- meaning 'fire' and bitumen meaning 'tar' or 'asphalt'. It is a hard, tar-like material made when natural bitumen is changed by heat deep in rocks, so the name tells you it is 'tar' altered by 'fire'.