Latest news with #landsubsidence
Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'America's Cities Are Sinking Fast': 28 Urban Giants Like New York and Houston Are Quietly Crumbling Beneath Our Feet
IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 A new study reveals that 28 major U.S. cities , including Houston and New York, are experiencing significant land subsidence. , including Houston and New York, are experiencing significant land subsidence. 💧 The primary cause of this sinking phenomenon is intensive groundwater extraction , with additional contributions from oil and gas extraction. , with additional contributions from oil and gas extraction. 🏙️ Urban infrastructure is at risk of damage due to both natural and man-made subsidence, affecting millions of residents. is at risk of damage due to both natural and man-made subsidence, affecting millions of residents. 🚨 The study emphasizes the urgent need for proactive measures to address and mitigate the risks associated with subsidence. In the heart of America, a hidden crisis is unfolding beneath our feet. The ground under 28 major U.S. cities, from the sprawling urban landscapes of New York to the vibrant streets of Houston, is sinking. This alarming phenomenon, driven primarily by groundwater depletion and other human activities, is reshaping the landscape of these bustling metropolises. As urban populations continue to swell, understanding and addressing this silent yet significant threat becomes ever more critical. How are these changes impacting the cities, and what can be done to mitigate the looming dangers? Groundwater Depletion and Uneven Terrain Behind Sinking Cities The process of land subsidence, where the ground sinks gradually, is heavily influenced by groundwater depletion. This is particularly evident in cities like Houston, which has emerged as the fastest subsiding city in the United States. Here, approximately 12% of the population experiences a yearly ground drop exceeding 0.4 inches, with some areas witnessing an alarming sinkage of up to 2 inches annually. The situation is mirrored in other Texan cities, such as Dallas and Fort Worth, with subsidence hotspots also identified near New York's LaGuardia Airport, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The study conducted by Columbia University indicates that 80% of the subsidence is due to intense water extraction. As groundwater is pumped out, the fine-grained aquifers compact, causing the ground to sink. This issue is further compounded by oil and gas extraction activities in certain regions. However, not all subsidence is a result of human activity. In cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, the land still settles from the last Ice Age, where massive ice sheets once pressed down on the earth, a process still occurring 20,000 years later. Additionally, the immense weight of urban infrastructure, such as New York's towering skyline, contributes to localized subsidence, illustrating the complex interplay between natural and man-made factors. 'Gene-Edited Pigs Cleared for Dinner': FDA Greenlights CRISPR Pork for American Tables After Safety Review A Threat Beneath Our Feet The insidious nature of land subsidence poses a unique threat to urban infrastructure. Unlike flood-related hazards, subsidence can damage infrastructure even with subtle land motion changes. This latent risk implies that infrastructure could be silently compromised over time, with damage only becoming apparent when it reaches a severe or catastrophic level. This risk is particularly acute in rapidly expanding urban centers, where more than 60% of the population lives on sinking land, as observed in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Phoenix. Since 2000, over 90 major floods have been recorded in these cities, raising concerns that increased flooding risks are exacerbated by subsidence. Leonard Ohenhen, the lead author of the study, emphasizes the need for proactive measures: 'As opposed to just saying it's a problem, we can respond, address, mitigate, adapt. We have to move to solutions.' The call to action is clear—cities must implement strategies to counteract subsidence and protect their infrastructures. Scientists Create Extremely Heavy Hydrogen Isotope Using Electron Beams in a Historic First That Redefines Atomic Research Adapting to the New Normal As urban areas continue to expand, the challenge of managing land subsidence becomes more pressing. The integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as ultra-high-resolution satellite data, provides valuable insights into the vertical movement of land, allowing for more precise monitoring. By tracking even the tiniest land shifts, cities can better plan and implement mitigation strategies, ensuring the resilience of their infrastructure against this hidden threat. Efforts to manage groundwater extraction responsibly, alongside measures to reduce the burden of infrastructure, are crucial steps in addressing this issue. Cities need to invest in sustainable water management practices and explore alternative methods to reduce reliance on groundwater. Moreover, urban planners and engineers must consider the impact of infrastructure weight and seek innovative solutions to minimize its effects on land subsidence. The End of Jet Fuel: Next-Generation Engine Uses Electricity Alone to Generate Thrust in Historic Aerospace Breakthrough Understanding the Impact on Urban Life The implications of land subsidence extend beyond infrastructure and into the daily lives of urban dwellers. The risks of flooding and damage to buildings and roads can disrupt communities and economies, highlighting the importance of public awareness and preparedness. By educating citizens on the causes and consequences of subsidence, cities can foster a more informed and resilient populace capable of adapting to these changes. As cities grapple with these challenges, collaboration among government agencies, scientists, engineers, and the public is vital. By fostering a comprehensive approach to understanding and mitigating land subsidence, communities can safeguard their futures and ensure the sustainability of their urban environments. As we confront the reality of sinking cities, the urgency to address this issue becomes undeniable. The stakes are high, and the need for action is immediate. What innovative solutions can we implement to ensure the safety and resilience of our urban landscapes in the face of this silent, subsurface threat? Did you like it? 4.5/5 (26)
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
America's cities are sinking, and that could be a big problem
The Brief A new study finds all 28 of the most populated U.S. cities are sinking. At least 65% of the urban area is affected. Some cities are dropping by more than 5 millimeters per year. MILWAUKEE - Turns out that sinking feeling is not just your imagination. In fact, many of America's biggest cities are slowly sinking into the ground. What we know A major new study published in Nature Cities found that all 28 of the most populated U.S. cities are experiencing what's called land subsidence. Land subsidence is the gradual sinking of the Earth's surface. In all but three of those cities, at least 65% of the urban area is affected. In some cases, the land is dropping by more than five millimeters per year. That may not seem like much, but that could have a big impact over time. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News What we know According to the study, the leading cause is groundwater extraction. That is when a city pumps water from underground aquifers, leaving behind big empty spaces in the soil. That then causes the land above to collapse downward. This is especially common in fast-growing urban areas like Houston, Dallas and Phoenix. Milwaukee takes most of its water from Lake Michigan, but cities like Waukesha and Wauwatosa do rely on water from aquifers. Other factors that are also at play include oil and gas extraction, and what's known as natural post-glacial rebound in places that were once compressed by ancient ice sheets. Of course, there's also the weight of our cities themselves. Those buildings, roads, and infrastructure are all pressing down and, over time, add to the problem. Why you should care According to the study, over 30 million people live in subsiding areas. That includes almost 30 thousand buildings in zones where the risk of structural damage is high or very high. Sinking land doesn't just mean a few cracks in the sidewalk. It threatens roads, bridges, homes, water lines, and public safety. It also makes flooding worse, especially as climate change intensifies storms and sea-level rise. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android What you can do There isn't much an average citizen can do, but researchers do say city planners need to start treating subsidence like the ticking time bomb that it is. That means using satellite and ground-level data to monitor land movement, updating building codes, and rethinking how we manage groundwater. Smart planning today could save billions in damage and make for a safer tomorrow. Want to read the full research article? Click here to learn more. The Source Information in this report is sourced from a study published in the Nature Cities online science journal, accessible through the link above.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
The state capital that is very slowly sinking into the ground spelling catastrophe for its 1million residents
The entire city of Columbus has slowly begun to sink into the earth at a terrifying rate - putting more than one million residents at risk of a future catastrophe. Columbus, Ohio is disappearing beneath our feet - with shocking new research revealing the entire city is gradually sinking into the ground at an alarming rate, scientists have revealed in a new study. The bustling Midwestern state capital has been identified as one of America's most at-risk urban areas for what scientists call 'urban land subsidence'. A bombshell study published in the journal Nature Cities found that a staggering 98 percent of Columbus' land area is sinking at an average rate of 2mm per year. That's enough to potentially trigger catastrophic damage to buildings, roads and vital services. 'The latent nature of this risk means infrastructure can be silently compromised over time, with damage only becoming evident when it is severe or potentially catastrophic,' researchers wrote. The crisis isn't limited to Columbus – scientists found that in every major US city studied, at least 20 percent of the land is sinking. And In 25 of 28, at least a shocking 65 percent has been found to be sinking. Columbus joins nine other urban centers facing the most extreme subsidence rates including Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis. Professor Manoochehr Shirzaei, who co-authored the study at Virginia Tech's Earth Observation and Innovation Lab, told WOS U: 'Columbus land subsidence is notable compared to many other cities in the country, but it's not near what we have at the fastest-sinking cities such as Houston and San Antonio in Texas.' 'Those cities experience subsidence due to human activity, which is groundwater, but also oil and gas exploration - a different type of fluid, but the same process. 'But also, they have been affected by compaction of the sediments in the coastal region. So, in that sense, Columbus, Ohio is not at as critical a condition compared to those. Nevertheless, the rate of land subsidence in Columbus is also one of the fastest that we saw in the country.' The alarming phenomenon is partly driven by natural processes dating back to the Ice Age, when thick ice sheets covered northern America 15,000 years ago. 'The majority of the land subsidence that you experience in Columbus is driven by a natural process. We call it glacial isostatic adjustment. 'So, the northern part of the America was covered by thick layer of ice about 15,000 years ago,' he added. 'Since then, that thick layer of ice has melted and land in Canada is rising, and the perimeter of that area-which is part of United States, specifically northern part and eastern part-are subsiding, and we are talking about one to three millimeters [per year] of the steady subsidence happening in Columbus, Ohio,' Prof Shirzaei explained to the outlet. But human activities are making matters worse. For example, groundwater extraction has played a key role in accelerating the disaster. 'We have human activities like groundwater extraction, which is the main component of the human activities driving the land subsidence that we observe today.' In this image released by the Ohio Department of Transportation, a person is seen stranded on his vehicle in flood waters at I-270 and US 23 in Columbus' South Side, Ohio, Tuesday, April 3, 2024 'When we extract the water from the aquifer, specifically a confined aquifer, we empty those porous spaces and those porous spaces no longer can hold the weight of the material above them and they begin to collapse inward. As a result, land above them subsides,' the expert warned. Columbus officials appeared unaware of the impending disaster threatening their city. When asked about the research by Axios, Mayor Andrew Ginther's office redirected inquiries to the city's Sustainable Columbus team. Assistant director Erin Beck said 'this is the first we are hearing'. 'As we review this study more closely, we'll assess how its findings might inform the city's ongoing efforts to build a more resilient Columbus,' she added. The study also highlighted increasing flood risks for Central Ohio that would require 'upgraded structural protection, raised land, improved drainage systems and green infrastructure'. This could potentially cost millions in taxpayer funds.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Study Shows 25 of 28 Major U.S. Cities Are Rapidly Sinking
It's not just sea level rise threatening America's cities—some of the ground itself is giving way. According to a new satellite-based study published May 8 in Nature Cities, every one of the 28 most populous U.S. cities is sinking to some degree, with many urban areas facing widespread land subsidence due to factors like groundwater depletion and oil and gas extraction. Cities affected include Chicago, Dallas, Columbus, Detroit, Fort Worth, Denver, New York, Indianapolis, Houston, and more. The worst offender? Houston. The Texas city is sinking faster than any other in the nation, with more than 40% of its urban area dropping over 5 millimeters per year—and 12% sinking at double that rate. In some localized spots, researchers found ground sinking by as much as two inches annually. 'This is the first high-resolution, satellite-based measurement of land subsidence across the 28 most populous U.S. cities,' lead author Leonard Ohenhen of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory told USA Today. 'It offers critical information for urban planning, infrastructure adaptation, and hazard preparedness.'Dallas and Fort Worth aren't far behind Houston, suggesting that Texas is facing a particularly intense version of this 'invisible threat,' as the researchers call it. Much of the problem stems from massive and ongoing groundwater withdrawal. When water is pulled from underground aquifers and not replenished, the earth compacts—and the land above it isn't just a geological curiosity. It's a direct threat to urban infrastructure. Cracks in roads, buckling pavements, doors and windows that no longer shut properly, and warped foundations are all warning signs. Over time, the cumulative damage can compromise bridges, buildings, and entire neighborhoods. Interestingly, three cities—San Jose, Memphis, and Jacksonville—showed signs of very slight uplift, but researchers caution that the effect is minimal and that those cities are still at risk. With urban populations growing and water demands increasing, Ohenhen says now is the time to act: 'As opposed to just saying it's a problem, we can respond, address, mitigate, adapt.'
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Fastest sinking city in the US is revealed in new study and it's not in Florida
A new study reveals that one major U.S. city is sinking faster than any other—and it's not in the Sunshine State. Researchers from the Columbia Climate School's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory published their findings in the Nature Cities journal on Thursday. The study focused on the 28 most populous cities across the country, each home to more than 600,000 Americans. Recent satellite data was used to monitor land movement down to the millimeter. In a staggering twist, the study's authors found that in 25 of the cities, two-thirds or more of their land was sinking. All of the 28 cities experienced some degree of land subsidence. One city had sunk lower than any other: Houston. According to the study, approximately 40 percent of Houston's area subsided more than five millimeters per year, and about 12 percent was sinking at double that rate. Some localized spots were found to be sinking as much as 50 millimeters per year. Other major Texas cities were also found to be sagging deeper into the earth. Dallas and Fort Worth were found to be experiencing subsidence at rates above three millimeters per year in 70 percent of their total areas. Ten percent of the area in Chicago and New York City was also found to be sinking at a rate of three millimeters per year. Researchers said about 34 million people—about 10 percent of the U.S. population—are in the subsidence zones. More than 29,000 buildings in the cities analyzed were found to be at very high risk of damage. Factors such as groundwater pumping and oil extraction are causing land to cave in on itself, which poses an infrastructure risk in major urban areas. Researchers noted that buildings can be 'silently' compromised over time, with damage only potentially noticeable when it is 'catastrophic. " 'Unlike flood-related subsidence hazards, where risks manifest only when high rates of subsidence lower the land elevation below a critical threshold, subsidence-induced infrastructure damage can occur even with minor changes in land motion,' the study's authors write. The study said that the extraction of groundwater is likely the cause of subsidence in Houston, the worst-impacted city. As cities continue to expand, populations increase, and climate change worsens, areas are likely to continue sinking. Droughts, for example, can dry out soil in cities like Houston, leading to further groundwater extraction, continuing the cycle. A separate 2023 study found that New York City is gradually sinking partly because of the weight of its skyscrapers. Meanwhile, Galveston, Texas, is experiencing rapidly rising sea levels, outpacing other coastal cities such as Miami, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina. New Orleans, Louisiana, is rapidly subsiding at up to 50 millimeters per year. The coastal metropolis is built on soft, marshy land.
