A study published in the journal Nature indicates that the East Coast of the United States is sinking rapidly. New York City is sinking under the weight of its huge buildings.
The East Coast of the United States—where the magnificent city of New York is located—is sinking. As one of the most famous sites on the entire planet, New York could be in danger as the land under the huge buildings is gradually sinking compared to sea level.
A recent study published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications has indicated that 74,000 square meters of the East Coast of the United States are exposed to subsidence of 2 millimeters per year, while 3,700 square kilometers suffer from subsidence of up to 5 millimeters.
The discovery of these figures, which may seem small, could have serious consequences in the medium and long term. As time goes by, millimeters will become centimeters, and the consequences of rising seas due to climate change could directly affect cities where millions of people live. With every millimeter that the area sinks, the risk of storm surges sweeping and destroying more land offshore increases, including the risk of flooding in the interior due to pronounced subsidence.
The East Coast problem is shared with other geographic areas of the world, such as in Jakarta, Indonesia, where it is sinking almost a foot a year. Therefore, 95% of North Jakarta is expected to be under water in the next three decades, affecting thousands of people.
The solution to this problem is complex, as scientists have said that each and every one of the places that are sinking on the East Coast would have to be monitored to give them a concrete answer. The study of groundwater levels is also key to fully understanding the problem.
The authorities are now aware of what is happening underfoot of millions of people in the United States, and it remains to be seen whether there will be a solution and investment in addressing this issue.