On March 2, 1910, the Lakeview Gusher No. 1 well in Kern County, California, blew out in the Midway-Sunset oil field, creating one of the most spectacular gushers in petroleum history. Oil erupted uncontrollably for 18 months, reaching a peak flow of 100,000 barrels per day, making it the largest accidental oil spill in U.S. history at the time.
Over the course of the blowout, an estimated 9 million barrels of crude were released — enough to supply much of California's demand for months. The gusher highlighted the risks of early drilling techniques and the need for improved well control technology, eventually influencing the development of blowout preventers and safer drilling practices.
