A sandstone containing highly viscous, asphalt-like hydrocarbon compounds is referred to as what?

• A. Gas Sand
• B. Oil Sand
• C. Bitumen Sand
• D. Tar Sand

Answer: (D)

The main idea is identifying a sandstone that hosts very thick, asphalt-like hydrocarbons, which is the classic description of tar sand. These deposits contain bitumen, a heavy, highly viscous hydrocarbon that behaves like tar and coats the grains of sand. Among the terms, tar sand specifically conveys this tar-like, viscous material within sandstone, whereas gas sand would imply gas in the pores, and oil sand or bitumen sand are less common or precise in this context. So tar sand is the best label for a sandstone with asphalt-like hydrocarbons.