May be sinking under the weight of New York skyscrapers

A recent study found that: New York may be slowly sinking under its weight.. This event, known as collapse, occurs when heavy structures such as buildings gradually settle over time, or when significant changes in the Earth cause objects to sink into the ground.

The study, published in the journal Earth’s Future, examined the geological conditions beneath the city and compared it with satellite data. the city is slowly collapsing.

There are several causes of subsidence, including sudden movements in soft sediment or the pressure exerted by heavy loads on soft sediment. According to the calculations of the study, the city experiences a slow sinking process of about 1 to 2 millimeters per year. While this may not seem significant, it is important to note that this is an average figure as some areas are sinking much faster.

Changes to the foundation of the city, which is home to more than 8 million people, could pose a threat to its low-lying areas. In conclusion, the researchers stress the urgent need for investment in the development of strategies aimed at reducing the increased risk of flooding and sea level rise.

According to Tom Parsons, a geologist at the US Geological Survey, the purpose of the study is to raise awareness of the potential future flood risks associated with the construction of additional skyscrapers in coastal, river or lakeside locations.

New York isn’t the only metropolis facing collapse. It is estimated that one quarter of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, will be under water by 2050.Some parts of the city are sinking about 11 centimeters per year due to excessive withdrawal of groundwater.

Compared to other cities, New York ranks third in vulnerability to future flooding. A significant portion of Lower Manhattan is only 1 to 2 meters above current sea level. The effects of hurricanes like Sandy in 2012 and Ida in 2021 underscored how quickly the largely paved city can flood.