Angelenos Soak Up The Ra(d)ys

California officials attempt to assure residents that radiation from the Japanese Daiichi nuclear plant is of minimal danger. A giant cloud of radiation emanating from the four crippled reactors at Fukushima has made it's way across the Pacific and reached Los Angeles today. No one is quite sure of what level of the minimal radiation that has made it's way here.
Thousands of people could be seen at Santa Monica Beach today, laying out and have fun.

Santa Monic Pier.

Santa Monica beach.

Laying out at Santa Monica beach.

Laying out at Santa Monica beach.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Tsunami Advisory Issued To L.A. County Beaches (UPDATED)

Surfing the surge at Sunset Beach in L.A.

Tsunami surge at Sunset Beach in L.A.

L.A. County officials issued a tsunami advisory to all of L.A. County beaches and ports due to the giant earthquake in Japan.
Several surfers paddled out to surf Malibu's Surfrider Beach break during the advisory, the beach was not closed. No noticeable or unusual surf was spotted at the 'Bu.
The Port of L.A. temporarily suspended the transfer of hazardous materials due to the advisory. Normal cargo operations at the Port carried on as normal.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Locals waiting for the big one.

L.A. County Lifeguard on patrol at the Bu.

Paddling out at the Bu.

Shooting the tsunami.

Tsunami Hits California Coastline @ Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier

Under the pier

Love notes during the tsunami.

Tsunami watchers.

A tsunami from last night's massive 8.8 earthquake in Chile reached the shores of California's coastline today. At approximately 12:27 pm, a 3-4 foot tsunami event was reported to impact the Santa Monica pier area. I saw a small rise in sea level and wave activity during that time period. Nothing extraordinary though. Saw a few people in the water as the event was going on.

Right after the tsunami event, I heard a jet engine of a Southwest 737 airliner, flight # 1644, making loud popping noises as it took off from LAX. Saw the 737 make a hard turn back for LAX to land safely. The jet reported having engine problems right after take off.

Felt like there was a weird vortex going on, just like in "Lost."

Footage by Ted Soqui © 2010