Hmm. I’m neither a geologist nor a chemist, but I’m wondering if they found something other than actual rocks. One of the comments on the story suggested crystalized byproducts of chemical manufacturing (well, the guy said explosives, but I’m thinking a bit broader than that). I have no earthly idea why a highly combustible chemical compound would be on a California beach, but it might explain the ignition and difficulty in putting it out.
Either way, weird story. Hope the lady recovers soon.
“...if they found something other than actual rocks”
Hmm. Would also be perhaps why they picked them too. Why grab an ordinary rock when you can grab a “rock” with all sorts of cool yellow and white and green crystals.
When I first read this, I thought magnesium was involved (magnesium shavings used as kindling can burn very hot).
Back in the days...I used to surf there. Lowers, uppers, cottons, and churches....GREAT place to surf...when it's on.
That all said....Camp Pendleton used to have most of that area off limits. Old surfers' use to sneak into their to surf. I think POTUS Nixon declared that a public beach...eventually.
Anyway....it's not crazy to think that during military drills/maneuvers...some phosphorus and other types of military type devices were used.
Maybe they degraded. Maybe they've been rolling around near the shoreline for years. Turned into looking like rocks.
I dunno.......