New York is a city that stands out for many reasons, from its iconic skyscrapers to its landscape identity. However, this may change in a few years as a new study has revealed that the area is rapidly sinking due to its massive number of buildings, totaling 1,084,954. Although the annual decline is minimal, it could represent a major problem in the future, as it makes the Big Apple more vulnerable to natural disasters.
The study was led by Tom Parsons of the US Geological Survey and other experts, who warned that the more tall buildings are built in coastal, river or lakeside settings, the more dire the situation becomes: “The combination of density building And sea level rise increases the risk of flooding”, the document describes in its conclusion.
Apparently, the metropolis is sinking at a rate of one or two millimeters per year: “The projected rise in sea level represents a clear threat to coastal cities, with an expected rise of 20 to 60 centimeters worldwide by 2050.” ” In New York’s case, it is three or four times higher than the rest of the planet.
In general terms, this means that the city may be hit by high-intensity storms more frequently in the future (as the sea will be closer). In turn, there are areas that are more at risk than others due to various factors, such as the materials with which their skyscrapers are built, sea level and drainage structures. According to the study, they are Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. “The combination of tectonic and anthropogenic subsidence, sea level rise, and increased storm intensity indicate an accelerating problem with coastal and riverine areas. Repeated exposure of building foundations to salt water can cause steel can be reinforced and chemically weaken concrete, leading to structural weakening.
According to experts, if there was already a high probability of a strong hurricane following Sandy in 2012, it is currently a fact, as the collapse will add that “90% of the 67,400 structures in the area were destroyed post-hurricane”. Flood hazard expansion has increased. The floodplain has not been built to standards. As a result, New York ranks third in the world in terms of future property exposed to coastal flooding.
According to the experts at Unsplash, sea level rise, skyscraper construction and population growth in New York could be a problem in the future.
On the other hand, population growth may also be an important factor: “Increasing urbanization is likely to lead to decreased groundwater extraction and/or building density, which, combined with rising sea levels, represents an increased risk of flooding in coastal cities. Both Parsons and his team of experts urged rapid action and consideration of flood mitigation strategies, not only in New York, but in coastal cities around the world.
