The Sinking Reality: New York City’s Ongoing Battle with Land Subsidence
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In a recent study published by scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Rutgers University, it has been revealed that the sprawling New York City metropolitan area is gradually sinking, posing a significant risk of flooding to the region.
This alarming discovery comes at a time when New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency due to heavy rain-induced flash floods in Manhattan, Staten Island, and Brooklyn. Let’s dive into the details of this concerning issue.
The Sinking Statistics: NASA-Led Study Pinpoints Areas of New York City Sinking, Rising
The research team conducted an extensive analysis of the region’s vertical land motion from 2016 to 2023, focusing on how much the land sinks or rises. They utilized interferometric synthetic aperture radar to study the land’s topography. The findings indicate that, on average, the metropolitan area is sinking at a rate of 0.06 inches per year.
Causes of Land Subsidence: Fastest Sinking Areas in NYC Identified by NASA Scientists
One key revelation of the study is that much of the land motion observed occurs in areas where prior modifications to the Earth’s surface, such as land reclamation and the construction of landfills, have made the ground looser and more compressible beneath subsequent buildings. This highlights the role of human activities in exacerbating the sinking problem.
Notable Sinking Spots:Is New York City sinking? NASA finds metropolitan area slowly submerging
The research also identified specific areas within the city that are sinking at alarming rates. Notably, Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens is sinking the fastest, at 0.18 inches per year. This stadium was built on top of a landfill, making it particularly vulnerable. On the flip side, Woodside in Queens is actually rising, at a rate of 0.27 inches per year.
A Wider Concern
It’s not just within New York City itself; the sinking phenomenon extends to neighboring areas as well. LaGuardia Airport, a critical transportation hub, is also experiencing subsidence, sinking at about 0.15 inches per year. To address this issue, the airport is undergoing a massive $8 billion renovation to mitigate flooding risks, as it sits adjacent to Flushing Bay in Queens.
Beyond the City Limits
Outside the city limits, the communities of Newark, Kearny, and Harrison in New Jersey are also grappling with land subsidence, although the study doesn’t provide the exact rate of sinking for these locations. This widespread issue poses a substantial threat to the entire metropolitan area.
Rising Seas Compound the Problem
Sinking land coupled with rising sea levels spells disaster for New York City. The sea level at The Battery, a park in Manhattan, has been rising at a rate of 0.12 inches per year since the 1900s. More recently, this rate has increased to 0.17 inches per year. According to NASA’s sea level prediction tool, scientists predict a further 0.04 inches of sea-level rise by the year 2100.
The Impact of Climate Change
This sinking problem is exacerbated by the specter of climate change. New York City has long faced coastal flooding from hurricanes and extratropical storms, but the ongoing sea level rise is making storm surges associated with severe weather events even more destructive. Superstorm Sandy in 2012 serves as a sobering reminder of this reality.
Glimmers of Hope
While the situation appears dire, the study did uncover some positive news. Brooklyn’s East Williamsburg and Queens’ Woodside neighborhoods are actually rising. Scientists attribute the rise in East Williamsburg to the draining of oil from Newton Creek, which separates Queens and Brooklyn and flows into the East River.
The Weight of New York City
The sheer scale of New York City adds complexity to the sinking issue. The city is home to over 1 million buildings, collectively weighing nearly 1.7 trillion pounds. The study suggests that the city, as a whole, is sinking between 0.03 to 0.08 inches per year. Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island are particularly susceptible to subsidence.
Looking Ahead
In conclusion, the sinking of the New York City metropolitan area is a pressing concern that demands attention and action. Each additional high-rise constructed in a coastal, river, or lakefront setting contributes to future flood risks. Mitigation strategies may need to be included in future urban planning to safeguard the city and its residents from the growing threat of land subsidence and rising sea levels.
FAQs
1. Is land subsidence a new problem for New York City? No, land subsidence has been ongoing, but recent studies have shed light on its extent and potential consequences.
2. What can be done to address the sinking issue? Mitigation strategies, such as improved building practices and coastal defenses, need to be implemented to combat land subsidence.
3. How does climate change contribute to the problem? Climate change accelerates the issue by causing rising sea levels, making storm surges more destructive.
4. Are all parts of New York City sinking? No, some neighborhoods are actually rising, but the overall trend is sinking.
5. What is the long-term outlook for New York City’s sinking problem? Without proactive measures, the city faces an increased risk of flooding and damage due to land subsidence and rising sea levels.
10 Key Points on New York City’s Sinking Issue
- Scientific Study: Scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Rutgers University published a study in Science Advances revealing that the New York City metropolitan area is slowly sinking.
- Sinking Rate: The region is sinking at an average rate of 0.06 inches per year, posing an increased risk of flooding.
- State of Emergency: New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency due to heavy rain and flash floods in Manhattan, Staten Island, and Brooklyn.
- Vertical Land Motion: Researchers used interferometric synthetic aperture radar to study the vertical land motion in the region from 2016 to 2023.
- Human Activity Impact: The study noted that much of the motion occurred in areas where prior human modifications, like land reclamation and landfill construction, had made the ground more compressible beneath buildings.
- Arthur Ashe Stadium: Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, built on a landfill, is sinking the fastest at a rate of 0.18 inches per year.
- Woodside in Queens: Conversely, Woodside in Queens is rising at a rate of 0.27 inches per year.
- LaGuardia Airport: LaGuardia Airport is sinking at about 0.15 inches per year, prompting an $8 billion renovation to address issues and mitigate flooding.
- New Jersey Communities: Outside NYC, Newark, Kearny, and Harrison in New Jersey are also sinking, although the study didn’t specify their rates.
- Rising Sea Levels: The study highlights the threat of sinking to the metropolitan area, with sea levels at The Battery in Manhattan rising by 0.17 inches per year. NASA predicts a further 0.04-inch rise by 2100.
This sinking phenomenon, coupled with ongoing sea level rise, poses significant challenges for New York City’s resilience against future flooding events, warranting mitigation strategies.
