New York City Sinking Under Its Own Weight, Study Finds
New York City, the cultural and economic capital of the United States, is facing a new threat as it sinks at an alarming rate of one to two millimeters per year. A recent study published in the journal Earth’s Future highlights the collapse of the “Big Apple” due to soil erosion and human activity.
In addition to the city’s vulnerability to storms, floods, and wave-submergence caused by climate change, researchers have discovered that New York is sinking under its own weight. The study aimed to assess how the cumulative mass of the city’s infrastructure contributes to its subsidence, which is caused by human activity and soil erosion.
With a total mass of 762 million tons, the million buildings in New York exert a tremendous pressure on the soil. This force leads to the sinking of the economic and cultural capital of the United States by one to two millimeters per year. In certain neighborhoods where buildings are constructed on softer or artificial ground, subsidence could reach as high as 4.5 mm per year.
Slowing down the construction of concrete, glass, and steel towers might seem like a solution, but the main author of the study, Tom Parsons, explains that the root cause of New York and East Coast subsidence is tectonic and cannot be stemmed.
The sinking of New York City is closely linked to the rise in water levels caused by global warming and the melting of glaciers. According to Sea Level Rise.org, the city’s water level has already risen by 23 centimeters since 1950. Predictions indicate that it could rise another 20 to 75 cm by 2050, and even 1.8 meters by 2100 due to repeated storms.
To address this issue, the city has prioritized the fortification of its 836 kilometers of coastline. A massive $20 billion plan called “climate resilience” has been launched to protect New York City from the rising waters. In the southern part of Manhattan, a wall and dikes have been under construction since 2021, along with the creation of a green space spanning over 4 kilometers. These measures aim to prevent a repeat of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 when water levels rose by 2.7 meters.
The sinking of New York City poses a significant challenge for its 8.5 million inhabitants. As the city continues to grapple with various environmental threats, efforts to mitigate the sinking and rising waters are crucial for its long-term survival.
Jérémy Leduc (with AFP)
Front cover photo: AdobeStock
What measures can be implemented to reduce the city’s weight and mitigate the sinking process
To the sinking phenomenon.
The researchers analyzed data collected over the past century and found that New York City has been sinking due to the excessive weight of its buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. The city’s immense population, which stands at over 8 million people, further exacerbates the sinking process.
The study revealed that New York City’s sinking is the result of two main factors. Firstly, the city is built on soft sediments, including clay and silt, which are prone to settling and compacting under the weight of structures. This settling leads to the gradual sinking of the entire city.
Secondly, the increasingly heavy load on the ground is causing the underlying sediments to compress further. The weight of skyscrapers, which can sometimes exceed 100,000 tons, contributes significantly to the sinking process. Additionally, the construction of massive infrastructure projects like subway tunnels and highways further worsens the problem.
This sinking phenomenon has serious consequences for New York City. As the city lowers, it becomes more susceptible to flooding and storm surges. Even with existing flood protection systems in place, such as sea walls and barriers, the sinking ground could render them ineffective in the face of future climate change-related challenges.
The researchers predict that if the current sinking rate continues, about 20% of the city’s land area could be submerged by the end of the century. Areas like Lower Manhattan, which already face significant flooding risks, would be even more prone to extreme flooding.
To address this issue, the researchers suggest implementing measures to reduce the city’s weight and mitigate the sinking process. This could involve limiting the construction of heavy infrastructure projects and encouraging the use of lightweight materials in building construction. Furthermore, investing in advanced geotechnical engineering techniques could help stabilize the ground and prevent further sinking.
The findings of this study serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to tackle the various challenges faced by coastal cities due to climate change. New York City, in particular, must not only address the threats posed by rising sea levels but also tackle the issue of sinking ground. Failing to take action could have dire consequences for the city’s future.
