"Urban Sinking Crisis: Infrastructure Risks and Flood Vulnerabilities in Major US Cities"
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"Urban Sinking Crisis: Infrastructure Risks and Flood Vulnerabilities in Major US Cities"
[!CDATA[Several major urban cities in the US are experiencing gradual sinking, with 28 cities sinking by 2 to 10 millimeters annually due to groundwater extraction. This phenomenon poses risks to infrastructure integrity, increasing flood risks over time. Cities like New York, Dallas, and Seattle are among those affected, with high-resolution maps showing sinking areas based on satellite radar measurements. These sinking urban areas are home to approximately 34 million people, representing 12 percent of the US population. New York, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, and other cities are sinking at a rate of about 2 millimeters per year, with at least 20 percent of the urban area sinking in every city studied. In 25 of the 28 cities, at least 65 percent of the urban area is sinking. Houston and other cities in Texas exhibit the highest measured rates of subsidence, ranging from 5 to 10 millimeters per year. The risk of infrastructure damage due to inconsistent land motion is a concern, with potential destabilization of buildings and foundations. Associate Professor Manoochehr Shirzaei from Virginia Tech's Earth Observation and Innovation Lab emphasized the silent nature of the risk, where infrastructure damage may only become evident when severe or catastrophic. The study highlighted cities with high subsidence variability, such as New York, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C. Factors contributing to urban sinking include increased demand for fresh water, accelerated by water extraction from aquifers faster than replenishment, along with shifting weather patterns and urban growth. To address the infrastructure risks associated with urban sinking, the study recommended integrating land monitoring systems in urban areas and implementing targeted mitigation and adaptation strategies. Shirzaei's team also provided insights into flood risks for 32 cities on three coasts by 2050, revealing sinking regions along the Atlantic coast sinking by up to 5 millimeters per year. The study underscores the importance of proactive measures to prevent worsening infrastructure risks in sinking urban areas.]]