New York City Sinking Under The Weight Of Its Skyscrapers
The sun sets behind 42nd Street in Manhattan during a power outage in New York City on July 13, 2019. – Subway stations plunged into darkness and the billboards of Times Square suddenly flicked off as New York’s Manhattan was hit by a power outage on Saturday. About 42,000 customers lost electricity in the early evening, according to the Con Edison utility, which did not give a reason for the cut. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP)
New York City is sinking, and it’s not just because of climate change. A new study by researchers at the University of Rhode Island and the U.S. Geological Survey found that the city is sinking at an average rate of 1-2 millimetres per year.
This is due to a combination of factors, including the weight of its skyscrapers, the draining of groundwater, and the compaction of soil.
The sinking is most pronounced in lower Manhattan, where the city is built on soft sediments. In some areas, the sinking is occurring at a rate of up to 2.75 millimetres per year. This could have a significant impact on the city’s infrastructure, as well as its ability to withstand flooding.
The study’s authors warn that the sinking could make New York City more vulnerable to coastal flooding, which is already a major threat to the city. They call for more research to be done on the issue, and for the city to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of sinking.
The sinking of New York City is a reminder of the challenges that cities face as they adapt to climate change. As sea levels rise, cities will need to find ways to protect themselves from flooding. This could include building seawalls, raising infrastructure, and developing green infrastructure.
New York City is not the only city that is sinking. Other cities around the world, including Jakarta, Bangkok, and Venice, are also facing this problem. As climate change continues to accelerate, the sinking of cities is likely to become a more widespread problem.
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