Shrinking U.S. Metropolises Sink, Study Warns Buildings Tilt and Infrastructure Falters
Massive Urban Sinking Revealed by Satellite Survey
Recent satellite analysis has uncovered that the foundations beneath the nation’s largest cities are gradually subsiding. If left unchecked, this land‑sinking trend—scientists call subsidence— threatens to compromise buildings and essential infrastructure. The phenomenon is already contributing to flooding in numerous locales.
Dr. Manoochehr Shirzaei, a geophysicist at Virginia Tech, cautioned that the extent of the problem was unprecedented:
- “We did not expect to see such widespread land subsidence,” said Shirzaei.
Study Highlights Rapid Urban Deformation
Shirzaei co‑authored a groundbreaking study, published Thursday in the journal Nature Cities. The research employed satellite technology to measure vertical movement on a millimeter‑by‑millimeter scale across U.S. metropolitan areas. Key findings include:
- Urban centers are sinking faster than surrounding regions.
- Greater risk of building damage correlates with higher subsidence rates.
- The analysis identified distortion in 28 major cities, all of which were investigated. Notable examples are Seattle, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, and New York City.
Impact on Populations
Approximately 34 million residents are situated in zones affected by the subsidence trend, underscoring the urgent need for remedial action.
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Hotspots of risk to 29,000 buildings
Urban Building Risk 2025
Research shows that roughly 29,000 structures could be compromised, even though uneven subsidence affects only about 1 % of the land in the consulted cities.
Because the danger is concentrated in pinpoint areas, the study offers a clear target for preventive interventions. To safeguard these hotspots, council members and planners must enforce codes and bolster the resilience of critical infrastructure.
Expert Horizon
Leonard Ohenhen, a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia’s Lamont‑Doherty Earth Observatory and the lead author of the study, told BI that the next few years are a pivotal window.
- Enact stronger building codes in identified danger zones.
- Enhance the structural integrity of key infrastructure.
- Regularly monitor subsidence trends to adjust risk parameters.
By concentrating resources on these strategic, high‑risk zones, municipalities can mitigate the threat of widespread collapse and secure the stability of urban environments.
Why cities are sinking
Groundwater Extraction Drives America’s Submerging Cities
The latest research points to groundwater withdrawals as the primary driver behind the gradual sinking of U.S. cities. By managing aquifers more responsibly—matching extraction with natural rainfall recharge—municipalities can halt or reverse this downward trend.
Other Factors Contributing to Subsurface Collapse
- Oil and Gas Extraction – In Texas, drilling activities press the ground down much like water pumping, adding to overall subsidence.
- Structural Load – A 2023 study in New York City revealed that the sheer weight of buildings can depress the soil underneath.
- Glacial Legacy – On the East Coast and across the continental interior, remnants of the Laurentide Ice Sheet leave the land still settling after the ice retreated.
Cities Affected by These Downward Pressures
The authors identified a handful of urban centers where these drivers are most evident:
- New York
- Indianapolis
- Nashville
- Philadelphia
- Denver
- Chicago
- Portland
Emerging Insights on City-Specific Causes
Recent investigations in Chicago have implicated urban heat as a contributor to settlement, while studies in Miami suggest that construction vibrations could also be pushing structures downward.
