Technogenic / Anthropogenic Pavement Material

Asphalt Concrete (Bituminous Pavement)

Aggregates in Bitumen Matrix

Hardness (Aggregate): 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Black to dark gray (weathering to light gray); Luster: Dull to oily; Structure: Granular composite; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.3-2.5

Color: Black to dark gray (weathering to light gray)
Luster: Dull to oily

Identified March 25, 2026More technogenic / anthropogenic pavement material →

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Physical properties

Hardness (Aggregate): 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Black to dark gray (weathering to light gray); Luster: Dull to oily; Structure: Granular composite; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.3-2.5

Formation & geological history

Man-made material composed of mineral aggregates (sand, gravel, or crushed stone) bound together by bitumen (asphalt cement), a sticky, black, and highly viscous form of petroleum.

Uses & applications

Primary material for road construction, parking lots, airport runways, and core liners for embankment dams.

Geological facts

Asphalt is the most recycled material in the world; nearly 99% of used asphalt is reclaimed and reused in new paving projects. It has been used since ancient times (around 625 BC) for waterproofing.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its dark, granular appearance, unique tar-like smell when hot, and presence in flat, engineered surfaces. Common worldwide in urbanized areas.

Other technogenic / anthropogenic pavement material specimens

See all

Asphalt (Bituminous Pavement Bit)

Bitumen-bound aggregate (Petrochemical-bound composite)

sedimentary (anthropogenic/technogenic)

Asphalt Chunk (with aggregate)

Bituminous concrete / Anthropogenic conglomerate

sedimentary (anthropogenic/man-made conglomerate)

Asphalt Concrete (Bituminous Conglomerate)

Anthropogenic Bituminous Conglomerate

sedimentary

Concrete / Anthropogenic Conglomerate

Man-made composite material (Portland cement, aggregate, and water)

not a natural rock

Slag

Glassy silicate byproduct (anthropogenic material)

industrial byproduct

Asphalt (Bituminous Concrete)

Bituminous mix / Anthropogenic conglomerate

man-made composite (lithified equivalent of sedimentary)