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Scripps Study Identifies Fastest Eroding California Cliffs

New research shows widespread coastal retreat across California, with Northern California sites facing the most rapid instability.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Geography

Rugged, multi-layered sedimentary cliff face overlooking the dark Pacific Ocean on a foggy Northern California day.
A Scripps Institution of Oceanography study identified Humboldt County as home to the fastest-eroding coastal cliffs in California, with 65 percent of the state's shoreline showing change. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A new study from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography reveals that 65 percent of California cliffs experienced measurable change between 2016 and 2023. Researchers identified Humboldt County as the site of the state's fastest-eroding coastal cliffs.

Why it matters

Coastal cliffs are inherently unstable, and the identification of high-erosion hotspots helps clarify the risks posed by heavy rainfall and large swells. These findings are particularly critical as experts monitor the impact of environmental shifts on the state's rugged shoreline.

Researchers utilized airborne lidar data to compare 2023 topographic measurements against a 2016 baseline. The analysis found that worst-case hotspots experienced volume losses equivalent to 800 dump-truck loads of material per yard of shoreline.

The players

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

This department at the University of California, San Diego, conducts extensive research on the earth and marine sciences.

NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a federal agency focused on conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere.

The details

The study highlights that cliff-top retreat rates exceeding 10 feet per year are common in areas including the King Range, Big Sur, and Point Reyes National Seashore. One specific landslide in Humboldt County involved the movement of more than 1.4 million cubic yards of rock and soil.

Timeline

  1. 2016: Baseline lidar dataset for the study was collected.

  2. 2023: Comparative airborne lidar data for the study was collected.

  3. October 23, 2026: The Scripps Institution of Oceanography released the study findings.

  4. 2027: Funding for the current lidar data collection program is scheduled to conclude.

The Big Picture

The study provides new mapping data that updates the figures previously established by the California Coastal Cliff Erosion Viewer. These findings shift the scientific understanding of cliff instability by demonstrating how quickly large volumes of coastline can disappear.

This research provides critical data for land managers and those living near high-risk coastal zones to better understand local safety threats. The ongoing monitoring program aims to identify at-risk locations before massive landslides occur.

The takeaway

Coastal erosion is a rapid, ongoing process that can reshape the state's geography in just a few years. Residents in high-risk areas should stay informed about local geological survey reports to understand potential impacts on property and public safety.

What happens next

Funding for the lidar-based cliff monitoring program is set to expire in 2027.

Further reading

For more on the state's changing landscape, visit the Geography section.

More information

Explore the interactive maps at the California Coastal Cliff Erosion Viewer.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Active NorCal.

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