Asphalt, AS fawlt, is a black cementlike substance that is found in most crude petroleum. It has hundreds of uses. It is used to pave streets, highways, and airfields; to make floor tiles and roofing, waterproofing, and insulating materials; and to line reservoirs, waste storage ponds, dams, and irrigation canals. Asphalt is also used in varnish and inks. In addition, asphalt coatings protect underground pipelines from corrosion.