California's Earthquake Early Warning System Clears First Major Hurdle

On April 9, 2013, the California State Senate approved "State Bill 135" 11-0, to create an earthquake early warning system for California. However, the bill must still be referred to the Committee of Natural Resources and Water (a hearing is set for April 23 of this year), and will need to be voted on again in the coming months.

State Bill 135 states:

"...Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Turkey, Romania, Italy, and China either have or are working on earthquake early warning systems that are capable of saving lives and helping to mitigate loss... By building upon the California Integrated Seismic Network and processing data from an array of sensors throughout the state, a fully developed earthquake early warning system would effectively detect some strength and progression of earthquakes and alert the public within seconds, sometimes up to 60 seconds, before potentially damaging ground shaking is felt. ... An earthquake early warning system should disseminate earthquake information in support of public safety, emergency response and loss mitigation...." 

Illegal BMX Bike Riding in the Tierra Rejada Endangered Species Preserve

Today, I was hiking with my friends (who live in the area) along one of the nature trails within the Tierra Rejada Endangered Species Preserve (just behind Miller Park), and was angered, witnessing a large group (approximately 6-10 people) of people (young adults/teenagers) BMX riding within a dry creek bed that was surrounded by coast live oak trees. The BMX riders had altered the shape of the hill to function as a ramp for their bikes and had vandalized the area.

This Sign in the Preserve Specifically Says "No Vehicles of Any Kind"
Image Property of SoCal Earth Science Blog

A sign in the preserve states:

"Endangered Species Habitat Preserve. Pedestrians only. No vehicles of any kind. No littering. Stay on trail. Dogs on leash. 16 U.S.C. SEC.1538."

Later, we phoned the Moorpark Police Department, and they replied by saying that they had no problem with the BMX bike riding within the preserve, because the vernal pool (home of the endangered Riverside Fairy Shrimp) over the hill would not be harmed.

Thank You Moorpark Police Dept.!

4.7 Earthquake in Anza Shows Earthquake Early Warning's Potential

Courtesy of USGS

On March 11, 2013, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck about 13 miles ESE of Anza, CA, which is west of the Salton Sea by about 20 miles. The earthquake was located on the San Jacinto Fault, which is very active and is capable of earthquakes around the magnitude of 7.0.

The earthquake was immediately detected, and provided a warning to the test users of the Shakealert system, giving about 30 seconds warning to scientists in Pasadena. The earthquake was originally estimated to be 5.2 in magnitude but was later downgraded to 4.7. Although the system slightly overestimated the magnitude, the quake shows the potential of the warning system to protect vulnerable infrastructure.

If you felt this earthquake in your location and would like to contribute your experience to USGS, visit:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci15296281#dyfi_form

Frogs? In Los Angeles?

A Red-Winged Blackbird in the Ballona Riparian Corridor
(Image Property of SoCal Earth Science Blog)

Playa Vista Central Park
(Image Property of SoCal Earth Science Blog)

On Saturday, March 2, 2013, I accidentally left my bedroom window open when I went to bed.  After lying in bed for a while, I thought I heard several croaks that were slightly muffled from the sound of the 90 freeway.  I then jumped out of bed and went outside, and to my surprise, I heard a colony of frogs croaking rather hysterically.

I believe that the frogs are residents of either the Ballona Riparian Corridor or Playa Vista Central Park, several blocks south of my house.

Update: I just heard frogs again on 4/30/13.

If anyone has heard these frogs near Playa Vista Central Park, or are knowledgable about what species of frogs are present there, please comment on your experience below.