Skyscrapers, sea levels causing New York City to sink, study says
Scientists have recently discovered that the pressure from New York City’s towering skyscrapers is causing certain areas to sink further into the ocean. This groundbreaking research, published in Science Advances, reveals that the majority of the New York City metropolitan area is gradually sinking, increasing the region’s vulnerability to flooding.
The study, conducted by a team of scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and Rutgers University in New Jersey, analyzed the vertical land motion of the region from 2016 to 2023. Utilizing interferometric synthetic aperture radar technology, they observed the sinking and rising of the land.
According to the research, New York City is sinking at an average rate of 0.06 inches per year. The study coincides with New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul’s declaration of a state of emergency due to flash floods caused by heavy rain in Manhattan, Staten Island, and Brooklyn.
The scientists attributed much of the observed land motion to previous modifications made to the Earth’s surface, such as landfills and land reclamation projects. These alterations caused the ground to become looser and more compressible beneath subsequent buildings.
Notably, the study identified Arthur Ashe Stadium, situated on a landfill in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, as sinking the fastest, at a rate of 0.18 inches per year. Conversely, Woodside in Queens was found to be rising at a rate of 0.27 inches per year.
A previous study released in May by oceanologists from the University of Rhode Island and the U.S. Geological Survey also highlighted the contribution of large buildings in New York City to subsidence.
LaGuardia Airport was another prominent location identified in the study as sinking, with a rate of about 0.15 inches per year. The airport, which is currently undergoing an $8 billion renovation aimed at addressing long-standing issues and mitigating major flooding, sits adjacent to Flushing Bay in Queens.
Outside of New York City, the communities of Newark, Kearny, and Harrison in New Jersey were reported to be sinking, although the study did not provide the exact rate.
Researchers underscored the threat that sinking poses to the metropolitan area, noting that the sea level at The Battery in Manhattan has risen by an average of 0.12 inches per year throughout the 1900s. More recently, the rate of sea level rise has accelerated to 0.17 inches per year.
According to NASA’s sea level prediction tool, scientists estimate that sea levels will rise by 0.04 inches by 2100.
The study’s authors warned that the city is already grappling with coastal flooding caused by hurricanes and severe weather events. As sea levels continue to rise, storm surges are anticipated to become increasingly destructive, as demonstrated by the devastating impact of Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
However, there is some positive news amidst the grim findings. Scientists highlighted the rising neighborhoods of East Williamsburg in Brooklyn and Woodside in Queens. The increase in East Williamsburg was attributed to oil draining from Newton Creek, which flows into the East River between Queens and Brooklyn.
Nevertheless, the outlook for much of New York City remains concerning. The study revealed that the city, home to over 1 million buildings weighing nearly 1.7 trillion pounds, is sinking between 0.03 and 0.08 inches per year. Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island were identified as areas showing signs of subsidence.
The researchers concluded that the construction of additional high-rise buildings in coastal, riverfront, or lakefront settings would contribute to future flood risks. They emphasized the importance of including mitigation strategies to address these vulnerabilities.
As New York City grapples with its sinking predicament, scientists and authorities are urging proactive measures to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels and increasing flood risks.
Contributing: Camille Fine, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY.