On the eastern slope of the Sierras, just three hours north of Los Angeles, lies the deceptively-named “Alabama Hills” — a wonder of geology and Earth science. Sitting around 5,300 feet in elevation, this rolling vista of rock formations, classic Western landscapes, and spectacular natural weathered arches is a treat for anyone who visits (not…
Wildfires have a significant impact on the properties of the soil. The heat of the fire burns away all of the vegetation and organic matter on the surface of the soil, which makes some nutrients more readily available to the soil while turning others into gases that are lost (chiefly nitrogen). In addition, the heat…
Is California still in a drought? That’s what many Californians are wondering after a winter of storms, snow and heavy rain. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor–a partnership that consolidates drought data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Drought Mitigation Center and dozens of weather agencies–no area in California is currently experiencing…
The 2018 wildfire season in California was the largest and most destructive the state had seen to date, resulting in nearly 2 million acres of burned land, thousands of destroyed structures and the loss of 44 lives. Large fires have always been a part of California’s past, but experts believe that the increase in severity…
“Precipitation whiplash” is the term used to describe a region that whipsaws back and forth between bone-parching periods of drought and catastrophic wet periods with flooding. As you can imagine, these conditions are highly problematic… and California is about to find out first-hand just how bad it can get. Precipitation Whiplash: A Recipe For…
If you enjoy eating fruits or nuts, you can thank California for providing over two-thirds of the entire country’s supply. California is an absolutely critical crop producer in America, but climate change threatens to decimate the state’s ability to keep producing at its current rate. California: A Major Crop Producer A new study, published…
San Francisco’s fourth-tallest skyscraper has a big, expensive problem: it’s sinking. Not only that, but it’s sinking twice as fast as originally feared. How does something like this happen? What can be done? The Curious Case of The Sinking Tower Usually, you might think that a massive, 58-story skyscraper in one of America’s wealthiest…
The cliffs along California’s coastline are eroding faster than you think. Some may even be close to collapse. A new study in the journal Geomorphology identifies some of the most high-risk areas, and attempts to pin down the erosion’s cause. Heading Over The Cliffs As the sea level rises on planet Earth, more serious issues arise…
The Healthy Soils Program Is Ready To Spend The California Department of Food and Agriculture is giving farmers and ranchers until September 19 to apply for a slice of the nearly $7 million in grants earmarked for the Healthy Soils Program. The goal? To subsidize the hopefully soon to be ubiquitous practice of California farmers…
Chances are, especially if you live in California, that you’ve heard the name John Muir before. After all, his name graces parks, schools, trails, libraries, and more all across our great state. There’s a reason Muir’s influence still echoes 103 years after his death: he is largely responsible for much of the conservation and preservation…
