so, apparently california is (well, used to be) naturally rich in petroleum, that was so close to the surface that you could just stick your hand in the ground to reach it.
these photos are from 1910 - 1955, California, USA.
cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/35897819
source: https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/oil-derricks-california-old-photos/
(Oil derricks line a road outside Los Angeles. 1930.)
there’s many more pics on that website
In any kind of story something that big and obviously evil would cause some sort of cosmic retribution, like a planet wide climate collapse or something. Thank goodness this is real life.