What's the story on beach tar?

[Peter Pearson]

Are *all* the local beaches suddenly as tarry as Manresa? I
just got back from a walk there, compulsively picking up the
larger tar splats (some approaching the size of a fried
egg), getting a couple pounds per mile. In the 8 years I've
lived here, it's never been anything like this.

[Jeff Liebermann]

Post by Peter Pearson
Are *all* the local beaches suddenly as tarry as Manresa? I
just got back from a walk there, compulsively picking up the
larger tar splats (some approaching the size of a fried
egg), getting a couple pounds per mile. In the 8 years I've
lived here, it's never been anything like this.

This is from 2007 and 2008:
<http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2007/05/research2.html>
<http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2008/04/fieldwork2.html>
Looks like it's happening again.

"Geochemical characterization of tarballs on beaches along the
California coast."
<http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/reports/reprints/Hostettler_OG_35.pdf>

[Peter Pearson]

Post by Jeff Liebermann
<http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2007/05/research2.html>
<http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2008/04/fieldwork2.html>
Looks like it's happening again.
"Geochemical characterization of tarballs on beaches along the
California coast."
<http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/reports/reprints/Hostettler_OG_35.pdf>

Neat. Thanks.