Community News · Humboldt County
Study Finds Humboldt County Cliffs Retreat Faster Than Anywhere Else in California
A study released in August by researchers at UC San Diego's Scripps Institute of Oceanography found that Humboldt County's coastal cliffs are retreating faster than any other region in California. While the statewide average cliff-top retreat was about 1.5 inches per year from 2016 to 2023, Humboldt cliffs moved roughly six inches annually, with the Lost Coast Headlands losing more than 70 feet per year and the King Range segment retreating an average of 56 feet annually. Lead author University of Maryland associate professor Danghan Xie said the cause remains unclear but suggested higher rainfall, powerful tides, larger waves, and unique geology may contribute. The researchers compared lidar data collected in October 2023 with NOAA lidar data from 2016 across hundreds of miles of California coastline.