Jacob Margolis
Science Reporter

- @JacobMargolis
- Phone: (626) 583-5211
From the consequences of climate change to the next Big One, the threat of another natural disaster is never far away. I help Southern Californians understand the science shaping our imperfect paradise and get them prepared for what’s next.
Stories by Jacob Margolis
Where Are All The Beans? What The Run On This Staple Teaches Us About The Supply Chain
The once humble legume is now a prized product.
A Growing Threat For Military Bases In California And Beyond: Wildfires Driven By Climate Change
"The effects of a changing climate are a national security issue," Department of Defense officials wrote in a 2019 report.
Certain types of mussels can survive, even thrive, as the climate changes
As the climate changes, the more acidic our oceans are getting, But a new study shows that mussels with certain genetic traits can survive those more acidic waters.
Let's give thanks to this Thanksgiving storm
We’ve spent a lot of time recently stressing out about bad weather here in Southern California. It’s been too hot, too dry and too smoky. So, we thought it'd be appropriate on Thanksgiving to give thanks to this latest storm, which should leave you feeling good.
LA Got Some Rain, But We Could Be In For A Dry Winter
In Southern California, temperatures this summer were less hellish than the last, but it warmed up through fall when it should've started to cool off.
LA's Air Is Awful Again, But This Time We Can't Blame Wildfires
As it turns out, this is ordinary L.A. weather for this time of year.
Can The Pay-What-You-Want Model Ever Work For Restaurants?
Around the United States, and the world, a handful of pay-what-you-want restaurants have popped up. At best, the results have been mixed.
RIP Pacific Coast Highway
You may not know this, but oftentimes in newsrooms we write obituaries ahead of time so that they're ready to publish when the person passes away. But what if the obit wasn't for a person, but for a place that's been the home of magical memories for generations?
Yes, We Got A Lot Of Rain This Year, But The Fire Danger Is Still Very Real
We promise this article isn't as dry as L.A.'s vegetation
The Perseids are back for their 2019 show
It's August, which means the spectacular Perseids meteor shower is upon us. That said, they're not going to be nearly as bright as they could be given the moon.
Crumbling cliffs could become more common with climate change
When you're laying on the beach, beware of the crumbling cliffs above you. They could be deadly.
Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, is covered in table salt
Travel 390 million miles away from Earth to Jupiter’s moon Europa and you’ll find something more often found on dining tables. Salt. That’s according to a new study from researchers at Caltech and JPL.
What a swarm of 430 SoCal earthquakes means for the Big One
It’s been a bit shaky in parts of the Inland Empire. Glen Avon and Fontana have experienced a swarm of earthquakes, more than 430 in the past week or so. Does that mean that a big one is right around the corner?
New study looks for signs of a big earthquake before it's realized
A new study out of the University of Oregon looks at whether there's a correlation between the speed at which the earth moves in the beginning seconds of an earthquake and how big it becomes.
Climate Change Is Stealing This City's Beach. They're Fighting Back With Million Dollar Sand Dunes
Rising sea levels and intense storms have exacerbated the dangers of natural erosion, and the fact that we've built homes and infrastructure right up against it means that it's a huge concern.