Tar oozes on to sidewalk, street near La Brea Tar Pits

Saturday, June 8, 2019
MIRACLE MILE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A black, gooey mess was bubbling up out of the ground near the iconic La Brea Tar Pits on Saturday.

The sight was attracting the attention of locals and tourists alike.
[Ads /]
City workers were on Wilshire Boulevard trying to contain the seepage that was taking over a corner across the street from the historic landmark.

"I've seen it bubble up a little bit before, and it's always fascinating when it happens. Thinking, OK, the tar pits are gonna win this time and take over the world," Andrea Ross-Greene said laughing. "This is the biggest eruption I've seen, and I think it's pretty cool."

The earth has been oozing tar and methane gas in the area since pre-historic times.

Passersby were fascinated by the black goo seeping out of the ground.
[Ads /]
"We were talking today about, we have tar pits in L.A., and we were thinking, does anyone else in other cities have tar pits? And we thought, no I think we're pretty unique here," Patrick Meyer said. "But I didn't expect them to be this side of the street, I thought it was supposed to stay stuck on the other side."



Eruptions are fairly common in the area, but residents say it's is a relatively large leak that's easy to see and smell.

The city will continue to clear the tar spillage until it hardens, essentially sealing itself off.
Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.