New York City Sinking Under Its Own Weight, Study Finds
Several researchers have recently published an article highlighting the alarming collapse of New York City. The cultural and economic capital of the United States is sinking at an average rate of one to two millimeters per year, a phenomenon attributed to soil erosion and human activity.
Adding to the long list of disasters threatening New York, scientists have revealed in a study published in the journal Earth’s Future that the city is sinking under its own weight. In addition to its vulnerability to storms, floods, and wave-submergence caused by climate change, the cumulative mass of the city’s infrastructure is contributing to its subsidence.
The study aimed to assess how the massive weight of New York City’s million buildings affects its sinking, which is caused by human activity and soil erosion. The researchers discovered that the total mass of the city’s buildings, amounting to 762 million tons, exerts immense pressure on the soil.
This force is causing the economic and cultural capital of the United States to sink by one to two millimeters per year. In certain neighborhoods where buildings have been constructed on softer or artificial ground, subsidence could reach as high as 4.5 mm per year, according to the study.
Slowing down the construction of concrete, glass, and steel towers might seem like a solution to this problem, but the main author of the study, Tom Parsons, explains that it would have no effect. Parsons states, “The root cause of New York and East Coast subsidence is tectonic and cannot be stemmed.”
The sinking of New York City is intimately linked to the rise in water levels caused by global warming and the melting of glaciers. According to the organization Sea Level Rise.org, New York’s water level has already risen by 23 centimeters since 1950. The city predicts that it will rise another 20 to 75 cm by 2050, and potentially even 1.8 meters by 2100 due to repeated storms.
To address this issue, the city has prioritized fortifying its 836 kilometers of coastline. A massive billion plan called “climate resilience” has been launched to protect New York City from the rising waters. In the southern part of Manhattan, between the East River and an expressway, the city has been constructing a wall and dikes since 2021. Additionally, a green space spanning over 4 kilometers is being raised to mitigate the impact of future storms. This effort comes after Hurricane Sandy, which hit New York on October 29, 2012, caused water levels to rise by 2.7 meters over a decade ago.
The sinking of New York City poses a significant challenge that cannot be easily resolved. As the city continues to grapple with the effects of climate change and human activity, it must find innovative solutions to protect its future.
Jérémy Leduc (with AFP)
Front cover photo: AdobeStock
What are the potential dangers and impacts of New York City’s sinking, particularly in terms of infrastructure and residents’ safety
New York City is facing a new threat as researchers have found that it is sinking under its own weight. A recent study published in the journal Earth’s Future highlights the alarming collapse of the city, which is sinking at a rate of one to two millimeters per year. The phenomenon is attributed to both soil erosion and human activity.
This sinking issue adds to the long list of disasters that New York City is already facing. The city is known for being vulnerable to storms, floods, and wave-submergence caused by climate change. Now, the study reveals that the cumulative mass of the city’s infrastructure is contributing to its subsidence.
The main focus of the study was to understand how the massive weight of New York City’s million buildings affects its sinking. The researchers discovered that the total mass of the city’s buildings, which amounts to a staggering 762 million tons, exerts immense pressure on the soil.
The sinking of the city is a growing concern due to the potential dangers it poses. As New York City sinks, it becomes more susceptible to flooding, especially during storms. This puts both infrastructure and residents at risk. Additionally, the sinking can exacerbate the impacts of climate change, making the city even more vulnerable to future environmental challenges.
Understanding the causes and implications of New York City’s sinking is crucial for planning and mitigating future risks. The researchers suggest that policymakers should take immediate action to address the issue and invest in measures to protect the city’s infrastructure and inhabitants.
While it is a grave issue, the sinking of New York City also serves as a wake-up call for other cities around the world. With urban development and population growth, the massive weight exerted on cities’ infrastructures is something that needs to be carefully monitored and managed to avoid similar risks in the future.
It’s disheartening to see the iconic city of New York reach a tipping point where its own success becomes its downfall. As the city continues to sink under the weight of its urbanization, urgent action and innovative solutions are needed to preserve its future.