New York one of 28 US cities ‘sinking’

A recent study from Virginia Tech found that all 28 examined US cities are gradually sinking, with at least 20% of urban areas in each city experiencing subsidence. The study, which used satellite-based radar measurements, revealed that in 25 of the cities, over 65% of the area is sinking. Factors include the heavy weight of urban structures and, most significantly, groundwater extraction, which weakens the ground when water is removed faster than it is replenished. Houston is sinking the fastest, with some areas dropping up to 10 millimeters per year, while New York City sinks by a few millimeters annually.

The study highlights that subsidence threatens the structural integrity of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. Experts warn that subsiding cities could face severe or catastrophic damage over time. Sinking is not just an American issue, as other global cities, particularly coastal ones, also face subsidence due to similar factors. For instance, Jakarta, Indonesia, is sinking so rapidly that the government plans to build a new capital. Rising sea levels combined with subsiding land pose a significant threat to urban areas worldwide.