Earthquake Magnitude 3.2 Strikes Long Beach and Los Angeles

lalate.com
Thu, 18 Aug 2011

A Southern California earthquake today August 18, 2011 struck moments ago centered in Long Beach; the earthquake was felt over sections of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Today's earthquake was of a marginal magnitude.

But because it struck at a narrow depth, it was felt over a wide section of the South Bay and Southern California.

Ten minutes ago, at roughly 2:43 PM PST, a 3.2 earthquake struck Los Angeles County. Its epicenter was south east of Long Beach. Unlike previous earthquakes this year in the region, today's quake was not centered out in the Pacific Ocean.

Rather initial statements by USGS issued to news indicate that the quake was centered just a few blocks west of Pacific Coast Highway. Initial reports put the quake centered closest to the intersection of E7th Street and Park Avenue. It was centered apparently just north of the American Golf Pro Shops on the 9th Hole of the local Recreation Park Golf Course, near the East 7th street corridor.

Earth Opening Up? Strange Chemical-Like Odor in San Diego, California, US Area: Navy, Coast Guard Investigating

10 News
Wed, 17 Aug 2011

 

Authorities are investigating reports from around San Diego County of a strong, chemical-like odor.

People began making emergency calls about 2 p.m. to report a pervasive and pungent smell variously described as akin to kerosene, diesel fuel, bus exhaust, lighter fluid and other petroleum-based substances, according to Maurice Luque, a spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

On Wednesday afternoon, 10News received dozens of calls from residents who said they smelled what they believed was jet fuel in the air.

Residents from areas such as Encinitas, Solana Beach, Pacific Beach, Mira Mesa and La Jolla all reported the odor. Residents living in inland areas such as North Park, Hillcrest and Rancho Bernardo told 10News they smelled the odor in their area

Smoking Steaming Hillside Phenomenon - Southern California

3 ABC
Sun, 14 Aug 2011

Hope Ranch - An unsolved mystery is smoldering on a dirt hillside below Hope Ranch. Smoke and steam are coming out of the soil, very similar to an event in October of 2006. Geologists have said a landslide five years ago may have opened up a crack in the bluff. That may have added oxygen to an underground super heated tar site.

The hot zone is being controlled with sprinklers spraying waters in all directions.

A fence is up in the area to keep inquisitive beach walkers away.

Santa Barbara County Fire officials say there is no immediate threat to the area or risk to the public.

     

Pesticides Damaging Australia's Great Barrier Reef: Government Study

International Business Times
Mon, 15 Aug 2011

Agricultural pesticides are damaging Great Barrier Reef - one of the world's great natural wonders - according to a report by the Australian government on water quality.

The report stated that farmers are using to many toxic chemicals that are seeping into the water - in fact, almost 25 percent of horticulture producers and 12 percent of pastoral farmers are believed to using pesticides regarded as unacceptable.

Pesticides of toxic concentrations have been detected 38 miles inside the reef.

The severe flooding as well as cyclone Yasi that hit the region earlier this year are believed to have worsened the problem by sending pollutants into the ocean.

The report particularly blamed pesticides used by the sugar cane industry in northern Queensland province.