All articles tagged with #california coast
Drone footage shows several great white sharks circling and feeding on a decomposing whale carcass at Martin's Beach, south of Half Moon Bay, illustrating an uptick in California coast shark activity as warm Pacific waters and El Niño conditions boost prey opportunities; experts predict a very sharky summer while the whale buffet may keep predators occupied and reduce risk to surfers.
Two Fremont women, Harshita Nair and Mahial Sran, were swept into the Pacific while napping near a keyhole at Bonny Doon Beach in Santa Cruz County. About eight rescue swimmers helped recover them; one was helicoptered to Yellow Bank Beach and later died, while the other remained in critical condition at a local hospital. Officials say the area’s steep shoreline and rogue waves make this stretch especially dangerous, and this rescue was the fifth along the coast in the past month.
El Niño has arrived and could be among the strongest on record, likely bringing a wetter winter to California, higher coastal flooding risk, and warmer coastal waters that may draw more sharks and other marine life nearshore, while also stressing ecosystems and potentially triggering harmful algal blooms and fishing impacts.
Trump uses the Defense Production Act to force Sable Offshore to resume operations on the Santa Ynez Unit and its pipeline along the Santa Barbara coast, arguing the move will strengthen U.S. oil supply amid the Iran war and rising gas prices; Gov. Newsom vows legal action and environmentalists warn of spill risks, while critics say the restart would have limited impact on prices.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright used the Defense Production Act to approve restarting an offshore California oil pipeline operated by Sable Offshore, framing the move as reducing U.S. reliance on foreign oil and bolstering national security amid Iran-related supply disruptions. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state regulators have criticized the action as illegal and prepared for legal challenges, highlighting a broad clash between federal authority and California’s coastal drilling oversight.
A rare hoodwinker sunfish, Mola tecta, washed ashore at Doran Regional Park during a Northern California beach cleanup, a finding that challenges assumptions about the species’ range. Described in 2017 and distinct from the common mola, its presence off the U.S. West Coast hints at wider, less-understood migrations, while strandings provide scientists with data on movement and currents; observers are urged to document sightings from a distance and report to wildlife authorities.
The Trump administration is planning to permit new oil and gas drilling off the California coast for the first time in nearly four decades, sparking opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom and environmental advocates. The proposal may be announced soon and includes leasing in the Gulf of Mexico, setting up a political clash over environmental policies.
A Texas-based company supported by the Trump administration is pushing to restart offshore oil drilling off California's coast, despite legal challenges and environmental concerns following a major oil spill in 2015. The project aims to increase U.S. energy production, but critics warn of potential environmental disasters and oppose the plan, which involves legal disputes and regulatory hurdles.
Scientists have discovered a new species of deep-sea snailfish, called the bumpy snailfish, at depths of over 13,500 feet off the California coast, highlighting the incredible biodiversity of the deep ocean.
Efforts to restore California's kelp forests by smashing 5.6 million invasive sea urchins have led to significant recovery of these vital marine ecosystems, which provide habitat, store carbon, and protect coastlines, demonstrating a successful model for global kelp conservation.
Scientists have identified Vibrio bacteria as the cause of the sea star wasting disease devastating populations along the California coast, linked to warming waters, and are now working on recovery strategies including breeding programs and public education.
Mercedes-Maybach unveils the exclusive S680 Emerald Isle Edition at Pebble Beach, inspired by California's coastal landscapes, featuring a two-tone paint, luxurious interior, and a powerful twin-turbo V12 engine, with only 25 units available in the US.
A tsunami warning has been issued for California's North Coast following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, with potential waves reaching Crescent City and other parts of California, Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska. Residents are urged to evacuate coastal areas as waves of up to 4.8 feet are predicted, and the tsunami could last for hours. The alert was upgraded from a watch to a warning after initial warnings, with officials emphasizing the danger of even small waves.
A small plane crashed into the ocean off the California coast near Monterey, resulting in three fatalities. Witnesses heard engine noise and a splash before the crash, and authorities are investigating the incident.
A small twin-engine plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Monterey, California, resulting in three people being found unresponsive by rescue teams; authorities are investigating the incident.