Bluff gives way at Sunset Cliffs overnight

This morning, July 11, a beach at Sunset Cliffs displayed a reminder of the dangers of being too near the bluffs.

Many of our county beaches are backed by sandstone cliffs. While they add a majestic beauty to our golden sunsets, they are an accident waiting to happen. Lifeguards and local scientists keep an eye on and record many cliff failures and perceived weak areas along beaches such as Blacks, Torrey Pines, and Pacific beach. On some of our more remote beaches they go unrecorded.

The collapse in this photo happened at Sunset Cliffs in an area that is frequented by surfers and beachgoers alike. On a warm, sunny, low-tide day, this specific place would have been crowded with people.

The bluff failure measures about 20 feet high, 20 feet wide, and 15 feet deep. The rubble field extends out onto the beach at least 25 feet. Some of the blocks of sandstone are 5 feet square.