Torrey Pines Bluff Collapse Caught on Camera Near La Jolla
A Torrey Pines bluff collapse was caught on camera earlier this week after news choppers flocked to La Jolla to cover a cliff rescue.
Multiple news outlets sent helicopters to the bluffs near Torrey Pines Gliderport to cover a reported cliff rescue. However, those helicopters — including one owned by NBC7 — happened to be at the right place at the right time to capture footage of the Torrey Pines bluff collapse.
NBC7 notes that the debris, which may have measured in hundreds of pounds, tumbled down the hillside and landed on Torry Pines State Beach around 4:10 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.
Reportedly, the Torrey Pines bluff collapse lasted several minutes. Luckily, no injuries were reported.
This is far from the first time that a bluff collapsed around the La Jolla area. The entire coastline features sandstone cliffs that are prone to erosion, particularly with the ongoing effects of climate change and all the rain that San Diego saw earlier this year.
In January 2023, for example, a section of the cliffs overlooking Black’s Beach collapsed. In total, the volume of the debris measured around 150,000 cubic yards. La Jolla isn’t the only city at risk, since experts think a similar bluff collapse in Del Mar could actually threaten local transportation by damaging a key railway.
The fact that the bluffs near Torrey Pines and other coastal neighborhoods and cities around San Diego are so unstable means that you should exercise caution when approaching them. Avoid standing too close to the edge, since it’s safe to assume that they can collapse at any minute.
Media credit: Image licensed from Adobe
Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
