[PennyB]

I just returned from a visit to my old stomping grounds in Santa Barbara. A friend mentioned that there were signs (floating, I assume) warning boats not to go to certain areas off shore near the "Santa Claus" area (those of you who have driven Highway 101 will know where---it is between Montecito and Carpinteria).

They commented that they have never seen this before...apparently due to large gas bubbles. I know that in the past these have been seen in various locations in the Santa Barbara Channel. I don't know if they are related to recent small quakes in that area.