Marine Markers and Military Ordnance Discovered on California Beaches

Recent Storms Bring Unusual Discoveries

In Ventura County, ocean conditions are unexpectedly bringing rare items to local beaches. Driven by powerful swells during an El Niño event, the ocean’s warmth is eroding sand and attracting rarely seen wildlife to California’s shores.

Among the strange occurrences, officials found a Navy MK25 phosphorus location marker, usually used for signaling objects or people in water. Its origin and the exact discovery location remain unknown. Ventura County Sheriff’s bomb squad shared the finding on Instagram; Orange County Bomb Squad noted similar storms bringing markers to shore in recent weeks.

A citizen spotted the marker, took it home out of concern for safety, and called law enforcement. Both the Sheriff’s Bomb Squad and a Navy explosive ordnance unit responded to the residence in Ojai. While the citizen’s intentions were good, officials warned that marine markers are hazardous, capable of burning up to 3,000 degrees and being extremely toxic. Removed from water, dried phosphorus can spontaneously ignite or explode.

Historic Military Ordnance Found

The unusual ocean conditions revealed more than just the marine marker. Ventura County Sheriff’s bomb squad and naval ordnance disposal unit encountered other hazardous discoveries. In July, they found a Super Bazooka round at Mugu State Beach Tower 14. This area, once a military training facility, often exposes ordnance as tides change and sand erodes. Officials determined the round was live and chose not to transport it, temporarily closing the beach and Pacific Coast Highway for safe disposal.

If you find military ordnance or bomb-like items, leave them, evacuate the area, and call 911, officials advise.

Shifting Coastline and Wildlife Sightings

Storm-driven erosion revealed Newport Harbor jetties built decades ago to protect oceanfront properties. Additionally, wildlife sightings include a hammerhead shark near Malibu Pier and olive ridley sea turtles nesting on Seal Beach and Huntington Beach. The turtles typically inhabit tropical waters, making these local nesting activities a rare occurrence.