Beachgoers are stunned to find a huge corroded bomb on California beach – and are shocked to learn where it came from

The age and origin of a bomb that washed up in Pajaro Dunes, California, has shocked beachgoers.

The explosive was discovered after high surf hit the coastline of Monterey Bay, 22 miles south of Santa Cruz, causing flooding in low-lying areas.

On December 31, the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Bomb Squad responded to reports of an object on the beach around 2 p.m.

Technicians from Travis Air Force Base's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team determined the device was a Mk15 Mod 2 practice bomb through X-ray scanning.

Officials examined the device after the bomb squad confirmed it was safe before revealing the object's age and use.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office confirmed in a Facebook post that it was a wayward weapon.

“The recent storms washed ashore what was determined to be an inert military munition,” they wrote.

“As a precaution, our bomb squad responded, deemed it safe and had it removed from the beach.

“Thanks to Travis Air Force Base personnel for responding and collecting it.”

The bomb was created for the US Navy during World War II and was built in the 1960s.

According to the US Naval Academy'the bomb was designed for training, with working mechanics, but without explosive materials.'

“Every few years we're going to see military munitions washing ashore,” said Ashley Keehn, public information officer for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office via Los Angeles Times.

'Occasionally we see sea flares uncovered. This onshore growth shows the intensity of the high surf we have seen over the past week,” she added.

The bomb will be stored at Travis Air Force Base.

Facebook users tagged others to see the post and photos taken by the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office.

Facebook users tagged others to see the post and photos taken by the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office

'Ordnance, I am hereby chosen. Ordnance is ammunition and the like, and the like, an ordinance is like a law,” Andrew Quist wrote when explaining a term in the Facebook post.

Other users liked what 'the ocean spits' and that they assume the bomb is from World War II.

“Submarine torpedoes were fired near the coast,” Sarah Culley said.

Daily Mail has contacted the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Department for comment.

The Santa Cruz Sheriff's bomb squad discovered the device after responding to a call on December 31 and it was removed by Travis Air Force Base

The bomb washed ashore after a high hit the coastline of Monterey Bay, which is 22 miles (35 kilometers) south of Santa Cruz

Officials examined the device after the bomb squad confirmed it was safe and discovered the object's shocking age and use

The bomb was created for the US Navy during World War II and was supposed to be built in the 1960s.

Researchers found that between 1940 and 1970, millions of pounds of unused bombs were dumped into the ocean in the US.