Widespread sulfur-like odor reported in southern California: Salton Sea confirmed as source

[Emily]

http://fountainvalley.patch.com/articles/sulfur-rotten-egg-smell-authorities-investigate-stinky-smell-wafting-across-the-region

Authorities Investigate Stinky Smell Wafting Across the Region
A sulfuric rotten egg like smell pervading much of Southern California has authorities stumped.

September 10, 2012
[snip]
``Residents have complained from a very wide area including the Inland Empire and much of the Los Angeles Basin,'' Atwood said.//

http://www.lacanadaonline.com/news/tsn-vsl-20120910,0,6369155.story

Sulfur, rotten-egg odor prompts calls to authorities
September 10, 2012 | 11:51 a.m.

The mysterious sulfur or rotten-egg smell wafting across Southern California Monday morning is befuddling officials who have been responding to calls from the public.

Lt. Angela Shepherd of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff?s station said that calls had been coming in from La Ca?ada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose and Glendale.

Shepherd said that the smell was likely caused by sulfur or methane gas , and the L.A. County Fire Department is investigating the odor.

http://www.pe.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20120910-bad-odor-investigators-probe-foul-odor-source.ece

BY DAVID DANELSKI and JOHN ASBURY
STAFF WRITERS
Published: 10 September 2012 09:39 AM

The air quality was particularly bad in the Riverside area, where the sulfur odor combined with smoke from a wildfire in the Santa Ana River bed.

?People in smoky areas should definitely stay inside,? Atwood said.

The sulfur odor hit huge swaths of Southern California.

?It is just noxious,? said Woodcrest resident Lisa Rosser, who lives near King High School. ?My concern is whether the kids should be outside or not.?

The Salton Salt is suspected because it is known for such odors...

(Some unusual wind patterns are discussed in the link above, too)

http://blog.pe.com/crime-blotter/2012/09/10/mystery-odor-reporting-what-we-dont-know/

MYSTERY ODOR: Reporting what we don?t know
Posted on | September 10, 2012
BY JOHN ASBURY

Let me set the scene for you.

Early this morning after a dank and humid night, the smell of sewage or rotten eggs filled the air.
[snip]

That poor wasteland of fish die off this time of year always gets the blame. Yet, the Salton Sea Authority claims no involvement. Not to say that it isn?t, but no one?s fessed up and it?s a long ways between here and Brawley...

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Widespread sulfur-like odor reported in southern California

Re: Widespread sulfur-like odor reported in southern California

We had sulfur smells before and after the earthquakes in Christchurch. Things we needed most were - good shoes in the car - in case you had to walk to reach your loved ones, water in bottles both in the car and at home. There is no way you can appreciate how much water you need until your pipes are broken/ your well is pumping "cloudy" water.

An emergency plan so your children/loved ones know what to do.

The ability to text - sometimes phone calls can't get through but texts do. (The mobile tower in NZ have an emergency power supply that lasts 12 hours or so)

An emergency supply of food, cans of soup/stew are good because you can eat them without adding water or cooking. A way to keep warm would be important during winter.

A good first aid kit and some basic training. You are likely to be on your own, responsible for your own and your families well being for some hours if not days.

Meet your neighbours - they can be a lifesaver and great comfort - and you can be help and comfort to them as well.

Ref: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191040&highlight=earthquake+preparedness

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Widespread sulfur-like odor reported in southern California

Re: Widespread sulfur-like odor reported in southern California

Powerful earthquake hits New Zealand?s second largest city - Christchurch

Post #81

Quote:
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset" class=alt2>Originally Posted by Sally Furniss
Environment Canterbury says reports of sulphur smells in parts of Christchurch don't appear to be a gas leak.

The mysterious smells, described by some as like the odour of Rotorua, have been investigated by Fire Service and Environment Canterbury's Hazardous Substance team.

At this point they say there is no indication that the smell should be of concern to residents.

It does not appear to be a gas leak, a spokeswoman said.

http://www.starcanterbury.co.nz/loca...shock/3921876/




</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



<HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cccccc; COLOR: #cccccc" SIZE=1>
<!-- / icon and title -->Post 82

Quote:
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset" class=alt2>Originally Posted by kiwibird
A strong smell of sulphur across Christchurch's eastern suburbs is being noticed following Saturday's devastating 7.1 earthquake, according to WeatherWatch.co.nz.

New Brighton resident David Shone told WeatherWatch that people were noting the smell since Saturday, saying that it smelt similar to Rotorua.

"Even our spring well water has a distinctive sulphur smell, until you boil it and leave it to stand for a while," said Mr Shone.

Twitter user Michaeljrist also told WeatherWatch he was hearing reports of a strong smell of sulphur
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-sto...hurch-suburbs/
No smell of sulphur in water from North-west wells.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151985&page=3

 

[Emily]

Re: Widespread sulfur-like odor reported in southern California

Re: Widespread sulfur-like odor reported in southern California

We had sulfur smells before and after the earthquakes in Christchurch. Things we needed most were - good shoes in the car - in case you had to walk to reach your loved ones, water in bottles both in the car and at home. There is no way you can appreciate how much water you need until your pipes are broken/ your well is pumping "cloudy" water.

An emergency plan so your children/loved ones know what to do.

The ability to text - sometimes phone calls can't get through but texts do. (The mobile tower in NZ have an emergency power supply that lasts 12 hours or so)

An emergency supply of food, cans of soup/stew are good because you can eat them without adding water or cooking. A way to keep warm would be important during winter.

A good first aid kit and some basic training. You are likely to be on your own, responsible for your own and your families well being for some hours if not days.

Meet your neighbours - they can be a lifesaver and great comfort - and you can be help and comfort to them as well.

Ref: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191040&highlight=earthquake+preparedness

This is a good time to review preparation plans, Kiwibird. Thanks for the insight. Keeping sturdy shoes or boots by the bed at night is something I would do, and also my bike helmet. I've been thinking I would wear it if things get shaky here. Sturdy work gloves might come in handy, too. Also it would be a good time to review procedures for turning off water and gas utilities safely. The utilities should have information on how to do that safely.

http://tribwekchron.com/2012/09/rotten-egg-odor-spreads-from-palm-springs-to-ventura-county/

Rotten Egg Odor Spreads From Palm Springs to Ventura County
By holtvilletribune On September 11, 2012 ? Leave a Comment

Strange things are happening in the most southern part of California. Just two weeks after a swarm of earthquakes hit the Salton Sea area we now are experiencing a sulfur smell that is covering most of Southern California and has traveled over 200 miles to the Venture County.

http://tribwekchron.com (http://s.tt/1n4F7)
...

I hope this turns out to be a biological source. Salton Sea is a large, troubled body of water. The article says sampling was done by South Coast Air Quality Management District yesterday so hopefully they'll get some definitive answers about the source soon.

 

[Emily]

Re: Widespread sulfur-like odor reported in southern California

Re: Widespread sulfur-like odor reported in southern California

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-smell-20120912,0,6667164.story

Salton Sea confirmed as source of L.A. Basin smell
Air quality officials say Monday's rotten egg odor traveled 150 miles, blown by a storm that probably unsettled the fetid water at the bottom of the Salton Sea.
By Hector Becerra, Los Angeles Times
September 12, 2012

Regional air quality managers said Tuesday that inspectors had cracked the mystery of the epic stink that had descended over much of Southern California...