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Miami’s Sinking High-Rises: A Call for Action as Coastal Cities Face Rising Threats
Recent research has uncovered concerning trends regarding luxury coastal properties in Miami. According to a study published in the journal Earth and Space Science in December 2023, numerous high-rises along Miami’s barrier islands are experiencing noticeable sinking, attributed to a combination of subsidence and rising sea levels. This trend has broader implications, as researchers warn that up to $109 billion worth of U.S. coastal property could be at risk by the year 2050.
The study highlights that 35 coastal buildings have sunk between 2 to 8 centimeters from 2016 to 2023, exposing the vulnerabilities of these prime real estate locations. Geophysicist Manoochehr Shirzaei from Virginia Tech points out that such subsidence is a prevalent issue globally, with similar occurrences documented in urban centers around the world.
Understanding the Sinking Phenomenon
Many cities, particularly those built on soft ground and relying on groundwater, are facing subsidence as they draw down aquifers and accumulate weight. Miami’s situation is exacerbated by rising sea levels, which increase flood risks in conjunction with sinking land. As noted by the lead authors of the Miami study, Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani and Falk Amelung, subsidence and sea-level rise each pose a similar threat to coastal flooding.
Areas particularly affected include major urban centers in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. In the United States, significant regions, including parts of the East Coast like New York and Baltimore, are sinking at alarming rates of at least 2 millimeters annually, according to Shirzaei’s research. Gulf Coast cities are experiencing even more severe subsidence, putting them at heightened risk.
The Economic Impact of Flooding and Structural Issues
The ramifications of subsidence extend beyond aesthetic concerns; they can lead to devastating economic consequences. By integrating subsidence data with future sea-level rise projections, researchers estimate that an additional 518,000 Americans could be affected by high tide flooding in 288,000 properties by 2050, leading to significant value loss amounting to $109 billion. It’s also crucial to note that subsidence can jeopardize the structural integrity of buildings, as varying sink rates can produce dangerous structural damage.
Structural safety becomes increasingly precarious when parts of a building sink at different rates, potentially leading to cracks or distortions over time. Understanding the patterns of subsidence is essential in preventing future damages and ensuring safety.
Utilizing Satellites for Early Detection of Risks
The study’s researchers are advocating for the use of satellite technology to monitor these shifts and assist in identifying vulnerable structures before they experience catastrophic failure. This approach comes in response to the tragic collapse of the Champlain South Condominium Tower in Surfside in 2021, which raised serious concerns about the stability of ground beneath similar structures. While pre-collapse satellite data for that particular incident showed no signs of subsidence, ongoing research suggests nearby construction activities may influence sinking trends due to the geotechnical nature of the local terrain.
In order to conduct more comprehensive studies and develop better predictive models, the Miami research team is actively seeking funding to analyze the region’s sediments and investigate disparities in subsidence rates. Satellite remote sensing offers an innovative diagnostic tool capable of mapping vertical land motion, assisting researchers in isolating problem areas before further damage occurs.
“Having access to this type of information would greatly enhance our understanding of building stability,” Aziz Zanjani and Amelung noted. The findings underscore an urgent need for a coordinated response to address subsidence as a critical factor in the safety of coastal communities, indicating that without intervention, the effects of subsidence are likely to intensify.
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