Near Record Temperatures in SoCal (and the entire southwest)

Maximum Temperatures for 5/29/13 in the Southwest
Courtesy of the National Weather Service

Near record temperatures are expected today and for the remainder of the weekend (possibly lingering until the 4th of July), thanks to a strong high pressure system that has parked itself over the Southwest.  Excessive Heat Warnings have been issued throughout much of the Southwest including pretty-much almost all of SoCal (except for coastal locations). The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures will be well into the triple-digits, with low temperatures in many areas not dropping below 70 degrees.

For more information visit: The National Weather Service

Rim of the Valley Corridor Study

The Tierra Rejada Endangered Species Preserve that has been recently bisected by Urban Sprawl

The Vernal Pool toward the left of the picture is the home of the Endangered "Riverside Fairy Shrimp"

Underwood Farms can be seen toward the background
(Image property of SoCal Earth Science Blog)

The Study

I recently stumbled upon the "Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Recourse Study" by the National Park Service, which can be seen here: http://www.nps.gov/pwro/rimofthevalley/Newsletter3EnglishWEB.pdf

To sum the document up, there are four alternatives:
Alternative A - No Action

Alternative B - Cooperative Conservation Partnership
-SMNRA partners with other land owners and managers to protect and expand open spaces

Alternative C - Connecting Urban Communities 
-Adds more of the eastern study region to the SMNRA
Pros:
-Includes the Verdugo Hills
-Includes open space close to urban Los Angeles
-Provides corridors to nearby Angeles National Forest
Cons:
-Does not provide corridors to the Los Padres National Forest
-Does not include most or all of the Santa Susana Mountains and Simi Hills
-Does not include land in Ventura County that is/will be subjected to urban sprawl near Moorpark and Thousand Oaks

Alternative D - Connecting Natural Habitat 
-Adds more of the western study region to the SMNRA
Pros:
-Includes the Santa Susana Mountains and more of the Simi Hills
-Provides corridors to the nearby Los Padres and Angeles National Forests.
-Includes areas that are at risk to habitat fragmentation
Cons:
-Does not include the Verdugo Hills
-Does not include connections to urban Los Angeles

My Stance

I feel that an alternative that is a hybrid of C and D, would be adequate. One that includes natural areas and corridors, as in alternative D, but also protects the Verdugo Hills, as in alternative C.

If I had to choose between the two, although many may argue that Alternative D would not bring as much parkland into the Los Angeles Area, Alternative D would prevent habitat fragmentation and include the almost completely unprotected Santa Susana Mountains and Simi Hills. Thus, I would go with alternative D.

I have experienced the horrible fragmentation every time I visit my friends in Moorpark. Much of Moorpark was once open space and farmland. However in recent years, developers have developed even ecologically sensitive regions. This can be seen in a relatively recent development that bisects a small watershed that drains into a vernal pool (home of the endangered Riverside Fairy Shrimp). Although developers have stated that they have minimized their impact, by not destroying the vernal pool, they have destroyed much of the watershed that provides the pool with water every few years, and created a system of concrete ditches that artificially transport water around the development and to the pool. This can be seen in the image at the top of the page.

To prevent such atrocities from destroying more natural areas in Ventura County, I would support Alternative D to protect vulnerable areas that are at a significant risk.

Playa Vista Phase 2- Littering by Construction Company and Non-Cutoff Light Fixtures

Full-Cutoff
Light Fixture in Del Rey

Non-Cutoff
Light Fixture in Playa Vista

I was just walking along the "Playa Vista Riparian Corridor"a rerouted version of the original Centinela Creek. I noticed that construction workers that were restoring a former hanger that was once owned by Howard Hughes that was adjacent to the Riparian Corridor did not pick up their trash. The trash was allowed it to drift into the Corridor as well as a neighboring park. Hopefully, it will be picked up.

Another story, I have been annoyed for a long period of time by the fact that Playa Vista has installed street lights that produce heavy light pollution (see image). This is going against what the city of LA has been trying to do for the past few years-- use full cut-off LED light fixtures to help conserve energy and to reduce light pollution. The developers have been continuously stating the idea that Playa Vista is a "green development." However, they are being anti-green by using the light polluting, non-cutoff, and energy wasting sodium vapor light fixtures not only in the older Phase 1, but in the new Phase 2 as
well.

California's Earthquake Early Warning System is Passed by the Senate

This video was created by "EHSUCBerkley"and includes Peggy Hellweg, a geophysicist at UC Berkley discussing the Shakealert System.
(Courtesy of EHSUCBerkley)

On May 28, 2013, the California State Senate voted unanimously (39-0) to pass "State Bill 135," which will create a comprehensive state-wide earthquake early warning system form the state of California. 

The bill states that the bill, if passed by the assembly and signed by the governor, will require:

"(1) Installation of field sensors.(2) Improvement of field telemetry.(3) Construction and testing of central processing and notification centers.(4) Establishment of warning notification distribution paths to the public.(5) Integration of earthquake early warning education with general earthquake preparedness efforts."

The bill will most likely be up for signing by the governor this fall.

In the mean-time... here are some posts on earthquake early warning in order by date:

Earthquake Early Warning Receives 5 Million (4/22/13)

California's Earthquake Early Warning System Clears First Major Hurdle (3/30/13)

Earthquake Early Warning Finally Gets Some Publicity (2/1/13)

Earthquake in Yorba Linda with Reflection on EEW (8/8/12)

In-depth Post on Earthquake Early Warning (7/20/12)

Learning about what LA Used to Look Like

Most people overlook the history behind most things. You may just look at Penmar Golf Course and Penmar Park in Venice, and say that they are just normal recreational areas that just happened to be built there. You may just say that the Lagoon that bisects the "Silver Strand" in the Marina was just a remnant of Abbot Kinney's Canals. However, after closer inspection, one can learn that Penmar Golf Course was built on a vernal pool that would fill with water every winter, and that the "remnant" of the canals is truly a natural lagoon that once part of the ecologically diverse Ballona Wetlands complex, and that it was spared in the development of the Marina filled in nearly all of the wetlands.

A study by the Bay Restoration Foundation and USC has mapped the historical ecology of the Ballona Watershed, and has provided the information in a detailed manner, with images of the ecology superimposed onto google maps. You can find out what once existed where you now live, and what has survived the urban sprawl of Los Angeles over the past 100 years.

You can see the website, that includes historical ecology of the entire Ballona Watershed, superimposed onto google maps by visiting the link:
http://www.ballonahe.org/

Annenberg Foundation Releases Info on Proposed "Interpretive Center" in Ballona

The Annenburg's Planned "Interpretive Center"

The Annenberg Foundation recently released some preliminary drawings on the proposed "interpretive center" in the uplands of the Ballona Wetlands. The images depict a large "interpretive center," many new walking and biking paths in the preserve, as well as two large parking lots, and four baseball fields. 

The foundation also plans to add veterinary facilities, adoption facilities, and educational programs on domesticated animals, on public lands within an ecological reserve. This seems very suspect. Currently, no dogs are allowed within the preserve due to the fact that they could disturb wildlife. If and when the Annenberg Foundation creates the "interpretive center" these laws will need to be overridden. 

The Annenberg Foundation stated that:

"Set within the broader context of urban ecology, initial concepts for the Center include exhibits and programs involving live wildlife and domestic animals, including a domestic animal adoption program; an auditorium; and facilities for school age children visiting the Reserve for field trips."

For more information visit:

http://www.annenbergfoundation.org/node/50770

4.0 Earthquake near the Palos Verdes- 5/15/13

Shakemap courtesy of USGS

At 1:00 pm on 5/15/13, there was a magnitude 4.0 earthquake just south of the Palos Verdes. The earthquake had an intensity of IV, and caused light shaking in South Bay. The shakemap by the USGS can be seen above. Even though the quake occurred in the ocean, an earthquakes with magnitudes less than 7 usually do not cause tsunamis. If you felt the earthquake, and would like to report the intensity of shaking at your location, go to: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci15343145#dyfi

A Thunderstorm Enters Los Angeles 5/9/13

An image of the storm at around 7:30pm
(Image property of SoCal Earth Science Blog)

Today, May 9, 2013, a rainstorm with moderate to heavy rain entered Los Angeles and caused heavy rainfall in the Northern portion of the county. It is currently traveling south-west-ward and is currently dissipating. An image of the storm can be seen at around 7:30pm can be seen at the top.

The National Weather Service stated in a "Short Term Forecast" that:

".NOW...
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT PORTIONS
OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY THIS EVENING. AT 715 PM...AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS WAS AFFECTING MUCH OF THE SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS AND SAN
GABRIEL VALLEY. THE LEADING EDGE OF THIS STORM ACTIVITY WAS ALSO MOVING
INTO THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AS WELL AS THE
LOS ANGELES METRO AREA. EVENING COMMUTERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR
BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS...CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LOCAL PONDING OF
WATER ON THE ROADWAYS...ESPECIALLY ALONG INTERSTATE 210. IN
ADDITION...THESE STORMS HAVE A HISTORY OF CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING."

3.1 Earthquake in Playa Del Rey 4/26/13

Shakemap Courtesy of USGS

Update: There recently was another earthquake, magnitude 2.9, struck at 1:08 pm on 
5/9/13. The quake was detected by my QCN Sensor. The verification of the detection can be seen below.

This is the detection of the most recent 2.9 earthquake on 5/9/13
(Image property of Socal Earth Science Blog)

Update: The earthquake was recently downgraded to a 3.1, and a smaller earthquake measuring 2.7 (originally 2.8) on Sunday the 28th, occurred nearby.

At 7:52 pm, a magnitude 3.2 earthquake occurred in Playa Del Rey, just south of the Ballona Wetlands.   The quake had a depth of 8 miles and had an intensity of IV on the Mercalli Scale near the epicenter. The quake's epicenter was near the location of the 3.7 earthquake in Westchester, in July of last year. At my location just to the north I felt light shaking for approximately three seconds (my quakealarm went off), and then a sharp jolt.

The light shaking I felt was the P-wave, while the jolt was the S-wave of the earthquake. This time difference is used in earthquake early warning technology. As you have heard, the P-wave is usually not felt as strongly, while the S-wave is the stronger and causes most of the damage during a large earthquake. 

If you felt the earthquake and would like to report your experience, go to: 

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci15333497#dyfi_form

Earthquake Early Warning Receives 5 Million

Scientists at the US Geological Survey just announced on Friday that they have received five-million dollars to purchase 100 new seismic stations to place throughout SoCal, and to provide for computer processing space. This step will be crucial for creation of an earthquake early warning system, by decreasing the "blind zone," or region that would not receive alerts in the event of a large earthquake.

Los Angeles Mayor Anotonio Villaragiosa stated to the press that, "Our system will be more capable of providing fast, easily understood and actionable warnings that could save lives when the Big One hits."

To see more information on earthquake early warnings see my earlier posts on the subject:
Information on the Passing of State Bill 135 on EEW in California State Senate
A Plethora of Videos on Earthquake Early Warning
EEW in Japan in December 2012 During a 7.3 Earthquake
My Original In-Depth Post on EEW

A Great Example of Why We Need EEW if We Have High Speed Rail

Here is a video of a Shinkansen train slowing to a stop during a 7.1 earthquake in Japan last year. Imagine what could have happened without the earthquake early warning system in Japan.

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