Pancake-Sized Globs Of Tar Wash Ashore Zuma Beach In Malibu

MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — Tests were underway Tuesday to determine what caused large globs of tar to wash ashore at Zuma Beach.

Just after sunrise on Monday, Los Angeles County Lifeguards reported seeing pancake-sized globs of a black substance at the high tide line.

Surfers also reported seeing the substance near Tower 2, just west of Point Dume, officials explained.

In response, members of the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors raked the sand to clean up the tar.

Coast Guard Oil Spill Specialists additionally called in wildlife experts to assist in the investigation.

Samples of the substance were subsequently sent to a lab for chemical analysis in Sacramento, officials said.

Results of the petroleum substance will determine if the incident is related to recent cases of tar washing ashore in Ventura, the Santa Monica Bay, and oil spill at Refugio Beach near Santa Barbara.

At this time, Zuma Beach remains open to the public.

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