Coastal cities like New York City (NYC) are facing a dual threat from climate change and subsidence. The increasing population and climate change have put NYC at a higher risk of coastal flooding and storm surges. Currently, around 1.3 million New Yorkers live within or next to the city’s floodplain, and this number could reach 2.2 million by the end of the century.
To combat these rising trends, many coastal cities have invested in protective infrastructure such as seawalls, raised roads, and artificial barriers. However, these “hard” structures are not a foolproof solution. Seawalls are costly to build and require constant maintenance. They also harm coastal habitats, reducing biodiversity and the number of organisms. Seawalls are temporary solutions and often need to be heightened over time.
In addition to rising water levels, relentless construction in NYC is causing the city to subside, further increasing the risk of flooding. Subsidence refers to the sinking of the Earth’s surface due to natural processes and human activities like earthquakes, erosion, groundwater extraction, and mining. The collective weight of NYC’s buildings contributes to the city’s subsidence.
A team of researchers from the US Geological Survey and the University of Rhode Island examined the contribution of NYC’s buildings to subsidence. They estimated the weight of all 1,084,954 buildings in NYC’s five boroughs using a public database developed by Microsoft. The researchers found that the buildings collectively weigh 7.64 x 1011 kg (1.68 trillion pounds) across a 778.2 km2 area.
Different areas of the city have varying rates of subsidence. Midtown Manhattan experiences little building-related subsidence due to its foundations being anchored in hard bedrock. However, lower Manhattan and southern Brooklyn, built on artificial fill, are more prone to sinking under the pressure of buildings.
The researchers compared their results to previous studies that used satellite techniques to map ground deformation. They found that the average subsidence rate in NYC is 1-2mm/year, but certain areas experience higher rates, up to 4½ millimeters a year. This, coupled with rising global sea levels, puts NYC at risk of eventually being permanently submerged.
NYC is not the only city dealing with subsidence and rising seas. A global study concluded that subsiding cities will experience rising seas at rates up to four times faster than stable regions. Forty-four out of the 48 largest coastal cities worldwide have areas sinking faster than sea levels are rising.
The authors of the study emphasize the need for awareness and mitigation strategies. They urge caution in constructing high-rise buildings in coastal areas and stress the importance of including flood risk mitigation in future development plans.
Coastal cities like NYC must address the challenges of climate change, subsidence, and sea level rise to ensure the safety and sustainability of their communities.
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
