A recent study by Columbia University reveals that the 28 most populous US cities are experiencing significant land subsidence, affecting around 34 million residents. The primary cause identified is groundwater extraction, exacerbated by urban expansion. Houston is particularly vulnerable, sinking nearly 0.2 inches annually, with some areas plunging up to 2 inches per year. Additionally, cities like Dallas and Fort Worth also show marked sinking rates. The researchers warn that this subsidence poses risks to city infrastructure, a concern heightened by the increase in flooding incidents in these areas over the past 25 years.
As cities continue to grow, we will see more cities expand into subsiding regions," said lead author Leonard Ohenhen, highlighting the implications of urban growth on sinking areas.
The study emphasizes that over time, this subsidence can produce stresses on infrastructure that will go past their safety limit," underscoring serious engineering concerns.
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