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.

The Annenberg Foundation Proposes a Very Controversial "Interpretive Center" on the Ballona Wetlands

Original Image Courtesy of the Annenberg Foundation

The Annenberg Foundation has proposed a very controversial  50 million dollar "interpretive center" on the Ballona Wetlands "Area C."

The Annenberg Foundation states that:
"(The interpretive center will include)... an auditorium, classrooms, a public lobby, exhibits on wildlife and domestic animals, facilities for an animal adoption and care program, veterinary facilities for animals on site, retail space, parking, and office space for staff."

It seems suspicious that the foundation wants to have veterinary facilities and animal adoption programs in an ecological reserve. A similar project in the Palos Verdes was not constructed due to a large amount of opposition in the surrounding communities (primarily, because it would have been built on public land). In my opinion, why does the foundation need to be so cheap? Can't they afford their own land to build an animal hospital and adoption center, instead of taking publicly owned land?

Although supporters say that the interpretive center would be built on highly degraded land in the uplands that has been dumped on and inhabited by the homeless, it is obvious that the area can be easily restored to precious upland habitat. Upland "Coastal Sage Scrub" habitat within California is a quickly disappearing, with only 15% remaining undeveloped. With 50 million dollars, the interpretive center can be built elsewhere.

The proposal can be seen at:  http://www.annenbergfoundation.org/node/50770

Finally Earthquake Early Warning Gets Some Widespread Publicity

Finally, this month, state senator Alex Padilla introduced a bill to hopefully fund an Earthquake Early Warning System for California. Although many may criticize the system, saying that $80 million dollars can be spent for other important purposes, I believe that this is very small price to pay for a system that can protect valuable infrastructure from billions of dollars of damage.

Earthquake Early Warning in Japan has saved a countless amount of money in sensitive infrastructure since its deployment in October 2007. For example, during the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011 not a single high-speed bullet train in the entire Tohoku Region derailed because of the automatic braking system that kicks when an Earthquake Early Warning is issued. Millions throughout the region were alerted up to a minute before the earthquake that it was coming, when their smart-phones buzzed with the Earthquake Early Warning tone.

NTT Docomo's "Area Mail" with the obvious EEW tone.

This video (stabilized) shows the 3-11 earthquake with the NTT docomo "Area Mail" tone.

This video shows the performance of EEW (On NHK TV) during the Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku Earthquake in 2008, the strongest earthquake after EEW's deployment before the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.

An instructional video on EEW.

EEW and Tsunami Warning Japan on 12-7-12

This video shows a simulation of a large earthquake in Honshu.

In Southern California, in the event of a large earthquake on the San Andreas Fault, up to a minute of warning would be possible if the system were in place.

A news video on Shakealert on KCAL 9

For more information on Earthquake Early Warning Systems, see my earlier post:
http://socalearthscience.blogspot.com/2012/07/earthquake-early-warnings-saving-lives.html

You can also visit:
The Japan Meteorological Agency's EEW page: http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/eew.html
USGS's EEW page: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/earlywarning/
Caltech's EEW page: http://www.eew.caltech.edu/
Japan's EEW on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake_Early_Warning_(Japan)

Rainfall in Del Rey, Los Angeles, CA Since April 1st

Since April I have been recording the rainfall totals at my house. Here is an image of the graph that I made showing total rainfall amounts, along with some main rainfall related events that have happened since April 1st.

Image Property of SoCal Earth Science Blog

6.3 Earthquake Strikes Off the Coast of SoCal- 12/14/12

Image Courtesy of USGS

Around 2:36am on 12/14/12, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Baja California, 163 miles southwest of Avalon, CA on Catalina Island. The earthquake created a rolling motion throughout Southern California. This earthquake was significant in magnitude, but fortunately occurred far off the coast, and did not cause any significant shaking on land. The quake was centered in the Cortes Bank of the Pacific Ocean, where earthquakes seldom occur. 

The USGS states that: "...the area offshore and within 250km of this earthquake has not hosted any events greater than M6 over the past 40 years."

For more information regarding the earthquake visit: www.usgs.gov 

7.3 Earthquake Strikes Japan- 12/7/12

On December 7, 2012, at 6:18pm Japanese Time, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck 152 miles southeast of Kamaishi, Japan. Seismic Strength 5- was recorded in Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi Prefectures. Luckily, the epicenter was so far from the coast, that the shaking strength was far weaker than if the epicenter was nearer to shore.

The Earthquake Early Warning System warned people in Tokyo, over 72 seconds in advance of strong shaking. This amount of warning is similar to that of a possible warning time to the city of Los Angeles in the event of a large earthquake on the San Andreas Fault. How would you respond to such a warning?

A video of the multiple online warning systems in Japan, as well as an webcam video of the earthquake can be seen above.

For more information go to: http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html

The Transit of Venus- June 5, 2012 (Ok, Kind of Late)

Venus Over the Face of the Sun
(Image Property of Socal Earth Science Blog)

"Black Drop Effect"
(Image Property of Socal Earth Science Blog)

 On June 5 and 6th, 2012, people around the world gazed at the sun through telescopes and binoculars equipped with solar filters, and watched the planet Venus move across the face of the sun for the last time until 2117.

I took a few pictures through my telescope. The second picture shows the "black drop effect".

transitofvenus.org states that:

"The strange "black drop" effect was a conundrum that fouled the observations of dedicated observers.  At the moment when Venus should nearly touch the edge of the sun, the circular planet appears to elongate."

For more information go to: transitofvenus.org

Storm System Reaches SoCal- 11/29/12

Update: Infrared satellite image as of:
 12/2/12 at 12:12 in the morning.
Second storm can be seen approaching Socal.
Image courtesy of NOAA.

Update: As of 12/9/12, the storm total rainfall in my location in Los Angeles was 1.22" of rain. 

Update: As of 12/1/12, the storm total rainfall for my location in Los Angeles is .92" of rain. Another storm is expected to reach LA tommorow.

The first substantial storm system of the season just entered SoCal. The National Weather Service forecasts the first system to reach the Los Angeles area tomorrow night, lasting through the week. A second part of the storm system is expected to reach the area Friday midday and a third on Saturday night. Between the systems, isolated showers are expected. As of 4pm on 11/29, my rain gauge in Del Rey, Los Angeles, CA, recorded .25" of rain, being the largest storm reaching my location this season. Rain is expected to continue through Monday.

The NWS states that:

 "A SERIES OF STORM SYSTEMS WILL MOVE ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... BRINGING PERIODS OF LIGHT TO MODERATE RAINFALL TO THE AREA. A MOIST SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO GENERATE INTERMITTENT LIGHT SHOWERS TONIGHT FOLLOWED BY A PERIOD OF MODERATE PRECIPITATION THAT WILL BEGIN MIDDAY ON FRIDAY AND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. ANOTHER PERIOD OF HEAVIER PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN LATE ON SATURDAY CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT. AT THIS TIME...THE STORM SYSTEM ON SUNDAY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE THE STRONGEST AND WETTEST."

11/30/12 Image courtesy of NOAA

"FOR COASTAL AND VALLEY AREAS... RAINFALL TOTALS THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT WILL RANGE FROM ONE TO THREE INCHES ACROSS SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY DOWN TO ONE QUARTER TO THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH ACROSS LOS ANGELES COUNTY. IN THE FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINS...UPSLOPE FLOW WILL GENERATE HIGHER TOTALS RANGING FROM THREE TO FIVE INCHES ACROSS SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY DOWN TO A HALF TO ONE AND A HALF INCHES ACROSS LOS ANGELES COUNTY."

For more information on the storm, as well as the forecast for your location, visit: www.weather.gov

Why are Earthquakes Felt So Widely over the Eastern US?

3.9 Earthquake in Newhall

Several weeks ago, I woke up to the sound of my "Quakealarm" ringing, feeling a very small rolling motion a few seconds later. After that I immediately went back to sleep. I later checked USGS and found out that I awoke to a magnitude 3.9 earthquake near Newhall, CA. The epicenter was about 40km away from my house.

Several weeks earlier, on the East Coast, there was a magnitude 4.0 earthquake in Southern Maine. My friend who was in Connecticut,  felt the shaking (she is a native Californian, so she has felt many earthquakes). The shaking amount was a little more (About III-IV) than the amount I had felt in the earthquake (About II) in Newhall. Interestingly, my friend was over 200km away from the epicenter. How is an earthquake on the East Coast felt farther than a similar size earthquake with a similar depth, in California?

4.0 Earthquake in Maine

Well, the answer is simple.

In California the geology of the earth is very different than the geology in the East Coast. In California, the ground is less dense than on the East Coast, where the ground is more solid. Lucy Jones in USGS has said many times to TV reporters: "A solid bell rings more than a cracked bell."

Wacky Weather in West LA- 11/10/12

Clouds Looking West
(Image Property of Socal Earth Science Blog)

November 10, 2012: just before 5pm a small row of clouds, passed through the LA Basin on a perfectly sunny and otherwise cloudless day. In my location, just north of Playa Vista, a period of light rainfall and drizzle occurred for approximately twenty minutes. Only a trace of rain was recorded in my rain gauge.

El Nino Watch Issued- What is El Nino?

Courtesy of the NWS

UPDATE 12/9/12: The NWS now forecasts only Neutral conditions

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association have gone into El Nino Watch, which means that El Nino Conditions are likely in the near future (this winter). El Nino is when the Pacific Ocean near South America is experiencing warmer than average temperatures, while La Nina is when the temperatures of the Pacific Ocean near South America are cooler than average.

Courtesy of the NWS

Well, you may ask, how do El Nino and La Nina affect SoCal?

During La Nina conditions, the the Pacific Northwest often receives a large amount of rainfall and cool temperatures during the winter, while SoCal usually stays dry (leads to drought when La Nina lingers for long periods of time).

During El Nino conditions, the southern part of the United States (including SoCal), receives above average amounts of rainfall with an increased probability of severe weather. This is because the Pacific Jet Stream hovers over the southern part of the United States (instead of being more variable) bringing more storms systems south to SoCal.

So this winter, if you live in SoCal, prepare for cooler temperatures and more rain, this winter.

Information retrieved from:
www.noaawatch.gov

Fire Near The Getty Center- 9/14/12

As of 5:20pm on 9/14/12 several wildfires have broken out in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Two of the three fires are small, one of which was a transformer fire on Mulholland Drive, and the other of which was most likely an arson fire on Coldwater Canyon Road.


The largest of the fires is currently spreading rapidly near the eastern side of the 405 freeway, and is located near the Bell Air Estates. The largest fire was reported at 3:36pm and is currently being fought using firefighting helicopters, and as of now, by "super scoopers." The fire is approximately 25 acres, but only voluntary evacuations have occurred.

The 405 freeway has just been closed off near Getty Center Drive and the Getty Center has closed early due to the fire. Traffic has been backed up all the way to the 90 freeway.

Temperatures are a searing 97 degrees in the area, and humidity is a mere 13%, but wind speeds are quite low, so the fire near the 405 will most likely not spread too far, and will be contained shortly.