The sight was attracting the attention of locals and tourists alike.
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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.
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"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.