Spills · oil
On january 28, 2008, tarballs began washing ashore on numerous beaches between mussel rocks and carmel, ca…
Mystery Tarball Incident; Pacifica, Ca · Pacifica, Ca · NOAAORR-7762
- issued
- 2008-01-29 00:00Z
- status
- cancelled 2008-02-12 00:00Z
- self-cancels
- 2008-02-12 00:00Z
- authority
- NOAA OR&R
- sea
- North Pacific Ocean
- position
- 37.527, -122.518
- source
- incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z
Original warning text
Mystery Tarball Incident; Pacifica, CA. Pacifica, CA. 1. On January 28, 2008, tarballs began washing ashore on numerous beaches between Mussel Rocks and Carmel, CA with the highest concentration being reported near Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. Shoreline surveys & cleanup were initiated by Cosco Busan responders, a NOAA trajectory hindcast was requested and tarball samples were sent for laboratory analysis to determine whether the oil was from the Cosco Busan incident or some other source. Both trajectory estimates and analytical results were consistent with natural seep area(s) south of Monterey Bay as the potential oil source. 2. THREAT: OIL. COMMODITY: TARBALLS. 3. POSITION 37.527N 122.518W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7762: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7762
This area · spills & pollution incidents
248 within 180 nm since 1971 · 13 in the last 12 months · 2 in force now
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- 1900 CA-1, moss landing, ca 95039, USA2026-08-30
- 32CC+C7 inverness, ca, USA2026-08-21
- J444+RW monterey, ca, USA2026-08-13
- 1809 sunset dr, pacific grove, ca 93950, USA2026-08-07
- R685+56 moss landing, ca, USA2026-08-07
- 841 w brannan island rd, isleton, ca 95641, USA2026-07-31
Season · when spills & pollution incidents happen here
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month of issue, all years in the archive
Nearby now · within 120 nm
- 32CC+C7 inverness, ca, USASpills · 39.3 nm
- 1900 CA-1, moss landing, ca 95039, USASpills · 55.4 nm
Worldwide now
8 spills & pollution incidents in force · see all
Spills
Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents →
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