Our own "tragedy of the commons" occurred September 8, 2011, when an electrical blackout affecting all of southern California shut down pump station 64, resulting in a spill of 2.4 million gallons of raw sewage that flowed into the lagoon and out to the ocean. The environmental aftermath and public attention to this spill inspired TPA to bring together representatives of the principal entities involved in the spill response to discuss their efforts to address the spill as well as longer term considerations on the health of the lagoon.

Beyond their stunning beauty, the cliffs of Torrey Pines stand like ramparts in the epic battle between the uplifting land and the restless sea. As storm waves attack the base of the modern cliff, it slowly retreats -- leaving behind a flat terrace that underlies the current beach. The same processes formed another terrace 125,000 years ago, but that ancient beach now sits high on the bluffs as the movement of tectonic plates pushes the land ever higher. Join geologist Wolfgang Berger as he leads us on this tour of geology in action.

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