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

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