New Study Uncovers Startling Truth: New York City Is Sinking

A recent geological study unveils the unforeseen implications of urbanization. New York City, well-known for its skyscrapers, is slowly sinking.

The study suggests that the heavy weight of these sky-high structures triggers a geological process called subsidence. This mechanism causes areas of the city to sink at an estimated one to two millimeters per year.

As the “Big Apple” continues sinking, it becomes susceptible to the effects of rising sea levels and natural disasters. Three of the city’s bustling areas, Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, are at the greatest risk for floods.

The research says the weight of more than 1 million buildings in New York City puts pressure on the ground.

The millions of buildings in New York City are causing it to sink a few millimeters every single year, scientists have found‼️😳 pic.twitter.com/q3ZlDP5C7P

— Pubity (@pubity) May 17, 2023

With a population of over 8.4 million, NYC’s urbanization consequences are happening in ways that were previously unseen. The city’s sinking is not just an outcome of diminishing void space and soil compression but also possibly due to non-stop settlements that creep in the clay layers of the ground.

How Sinking and Sea Level Rise Could Impact NYC

The impact of the Big Apple’s sinking is broad. As the area lowers, its susceptibility to rising sea levels increases. Research by NASA predicts a global sea level increase of 12 inches above the waterline by 2050.

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This effect poses extensive flood risks to coastal cities like New York. In addition, the buildings in the area are also at risk of exposure to salt water.

Sea salt water can corrode the steel in the buildings and chemically weaken the concrete. Based on these findings, the research warns of increasing flood hazards. As the population of the city grows, subsidence can also worsen.

As NYC carries the weight of its sky-high buildings, this research serves as a wake-up call for all the other cities globally. It highlights the importance of sustainable development and urban planning.