Southern California Coastal Community is Sliding toward the Ocean, NASA Data Shows
New Research Reveals Alarming Land Movement
New research from NASA shows that the Palos Verdes Peninsula, an area in the South Bay and home to cities like Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates and San Pedro, is shifting toward the ocean. The area, which has experienced accelerated land movement due to Hurricane Hilary’s record-breaking rainfall totals in 2023, has been moving at an alarming rate.
Fastest Land Movement Ever Recorded
Data from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory airborne radar shows that during a four-week period last fall, the residential area shifted toward the Pacific Ocean as much as 4 inches per week. This is the fastest land movement ever recorded in the area, and it’s putting human life and infrastructure at risk.
Increased Speed and Extent of Land Movement
According to NASA’s data, the image shows how fast parts of the landslide complex were moving last September and October. The darkest reds indicate the highest speeds, with white arrows representing the direction of horizontal motion. The data reveals that the footprint of land experiencing significant impacts has expanded, and the speed is more than enough to put human life and infrastructure at risk.
Consequences of the Land Movement
The Palos Verdes Peninsula has been severely impacted by the land movement, with multiple roadways, homes, and infrastructure damaged. Due to the ongoing movement, the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes closed indefinitely last year and church leadership announced plans to disassemble the iconic California landmark. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the area due to the ongoing land movement last year.
Conclusion
The findings from NASA’s research are a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of climate change and the need for immediate action to mitigate its effects. As the Palos Verdes Peninsula continues to slide toward the ocean, it’s essential that local authorities, policymakers, and residents work together to address this crisis and find a solution to this growing problem.
FAQs
* What is causing the land movement in the Palos Verdes Peninsula?
The land movement is primarily due to Hurricane Hilary’s record-breaking rainfall totals in 2023.
* How fast is the land moving?
According to NASA’s data, the residential area shifted toward the Pacific Ocean as much as 4 inches per week during a four-week period last fall.
* What are the consequences of the land movement?
The land movement has damaged multiple roadways, homes, and infrastructure, and has led to the closure of the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes.
* What is being done to address the crisis?
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the area due to the ongoing land movement, and local authorities are working to find a solution to this growing problem.
