Agencies respond to partial landslide by New Brighton State Beach

CAPITOLA, CALIF. (KION-TV)- Capitola Police and California State Parks Rangers responded to a partial landslide near New Brighton State Beach Wednesday afternoon.

According to officials, the cliff erosion happened on a portion that's adjacent to the 800 block of Park Avenue that borders Capitola and the State Beach. Officials also say nobody was injured as a result of the slide.

Although Park Avenue isn't directly affected by this cliff erosion, State Parks has set up signage on the beach. Capitola Police have also notified the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission about potentially hazardous conditions on their property at the top.

It's an area bordering the city of Capitola and beach that shares railroad tracks and many trees planted in between.

UC Santa Cruz Earth Science professor Garry Griggs calls the area "unstable."

"The rocks are weak and undercut at the base of the slope so that stretch of cliff has been rotating at about a foot per year on average for a century," Griggs said.

Officials recommend people passing by to not approach the cliff face, especially in the areas that lack fencing.

“Stay back away from the cliffs and also make sure your children are far away," Gabe McKenna Captain Public Safety Superintendent said.

The city of Capitola and state parks is urging people to stay away from the cliffs which may erode, this is an area that could potentially impact more erosions.

“Sometimes they will use the cliff to block themselves from the wind, but you just have to be very careful of what’s above you because the cliff could erode," Dally Andrew chief of police said.

Capitola police and California State Parks Rangers will be monitoring the area.