Some of the biggest U.S. cities are sinking, and New York City is among them.
The study, lead by Columbia Climate School postdoctoral researcher Leonard Ohenhen, found the most common cause for land sinking (subsidence) was massive underwater groundwater extraction, with some of the most populated of the 28 cities studied sinking faster than others. Growth of larger cities along the East Coast have produced stresses to infrastructure that will go past safety limits, said Ohenhen.
An overall picture of the unique study — the first high-resolution, satellite-based measurement showing land sinking, Ohenhen told USA TODAY — revealed that of the 28 cities studied, at least 20% of the urban area is sinking. Additionally, in 25 of the 28 cities, at least 65% are sinking.
Subsidence is considered an invisible threat, since it can go unnoticed for long periods, leading to profound impacts to the structural integrity of buildings, road, bridges and dams, Ohenhen told USA TODAY.
Here’s what the data has to say about New York City, and where some spots are worse-off than others.
An aerial general view shows the One World Trade Center (WTC) amid the city skyline of lower Manhattan and Hoboken (R) New Jersey, New York on August 5, 2021. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
How much is NYC sinking?
About 10% of New York City is sinking at a rate exceeding 3 mm per year, with some areas sinking faster and deeper than others. New York City alone accounts for 26% of the subsiding population, the study says, meaning it has the largest population of people currently residing on sinking land.
The sheer weight of buildings could also be taking a toll, particularly in New York City. The study linked to a Scientific American article showing that more than 1 million buildings in NYC are pressing down on the Earth so hard that they may be contributing to the city’s ongoing sinking.
This map shows the 28 most populous cities in the U.S. and how fast they are sinking by millimeters each year.
Sinking spots: Worst areas in NYC
Notable areas in New York City that are sinking greater than 5 mm (1/5 inch) include LaGuardia Airport and parts near Rikers Island, Jamaica Bay and Staten Island. Here’s a map of the hot spots:
Much of New York City is slowing sinking, with hot spots including around LaGuardia International Airport, Rikers Island and parts of Jamaica Bay and Staten Island
What US cities are sinking?
Houston was found to be sinking the fastest among the 28 cities studied, with more than 40% of its area dropping more than 5 millimeters (about 1/5 inch) per year, with some spots as much as 2 inches per year. Two other Texas cities, Fort Worth and Dallas, are also not far behind.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: LaGuardia, Rikers Island, NYC sinking fast, study shows. Where and why