Worst Erosion in 150 Years Hits California Beaches, Report Finds

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Mina Kim

Feb 17, 2017 at

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Newport Beach, California (Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)

The West Coast is experiencing unprecedented erosion on many of its beaches, according to a U.S. Geological Survey report published this week in the journal “Nature Communications.” Scientists examined coastal changes at 29 beaches across Washington, Oregon and California, finding that the 2015-2016 El Nino caused unprecedented erosion. We discuss the findings and what can be done to protect California’s coastal areas.

More Information:

Extreme Oceanographic Forcing and Coastal Response Due to the 2015-2016 El Niño (Nature Communications)

Guests:

Patrick Barnard, coastal geologist, U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center

Lesley Ewing, senior coastal engineer, California Coast Commission San Francisco Office

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