Bituminous limestone

Bituminous limestone is limestone impregnated and sometimes deeply colored with bituminous matter derived from the decomposition of animal and plant remains entombed within the mass or in its vicinity.

The amount of bituminous matter or asphalt in the pores of the rock is sometimes sufficient to permit the material being used for asphalt pavements after simply powdering and heating it. Still better results are obtained by mixing it with bituminous sandstone.

In the United States, bituminous limestone has been found in Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. Much bituminous limestone was also mined in Germany, Switzerland, and France, from where large quantities of it were exported to the United States.

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (July 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "Bituminous Limestone" . New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.