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Sea foam comes in different varieties, but unless there's a harmful algal bloom around it's all most likely safe to poke. (Photo by Guananí Gómez-Van Cortright)

That Foam on the Beach Is (Probably) Fine

March 8, 2023 •  by Guananí Gómez-Van Cortright

Storms on the California coast whip up sea foam, especially in winter and spring. Here’s a frothy dollop of the science behind how this stuff forms (it’s kind of a planktonic meringue).

phronima

Encountering an Alien on a Point Reyes Beach

December 15, 2020 •  by Elyse DeFranco

Its face might have inspired the monster Alien Queen. Phronima lives like it.

fat inkeeper worms stranded

Naturally, 2019 Closes with Thousands of 10-Inch Pulsing “Penis Fish” Stranded on a California Beach

December 10, 2019 •  by Ivan Parr

I saw thousands of these on Drakes Beach on Dec. 6, after the recent storm. What happened? -David Ford You could be forgiven for being offended by the above photo: thousands of 10-inch wiggly pink sausages strewn about Drakes Beach. … Read more

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