New York is sinking – the skyline pushes the city out to sea
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iPhone: Nadia Ostell

The total weight of New York City’s buildings of 764 million tons pushes the US city out to sea and increases the risk of flooding.

NEW YORK – The city that never sleeps has a problem. the Sea level rise due to climate change Already a danger to coastal locations. There’s another New York factor: the concrete jungle that makes up the unique skyline of the Big Apple. United States of America forms, pressing the city further into the ground. This makes it more likely to be affected by flooding than other coastal cities.

A research team from the USGS in California calculated a rate of subsidence of 1 to 2 millimeters per year. The subsidence of cities like New York depends on both development and the subsoil itself. While skyscrapers standing on rocks rarely sink, the subsoils of areas near the coast are often made of softer materials and are therefore more affected.

New Atlantis? New York sinks more because of its skyline

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy flooded parts of the city with sea water. Even the mighty Rainfall from Hurricane Ida It caused the sewer system to overflow in 2021, and here also parts of the city were flooded. According to climate change studies, tornadoes are likely to occur more frequently in the New York area in the future German news agency (dpa). In addition, sea level rise on the east coast of the United States can be three to four times greater than anywhere else in the world.

High and heavy buildings on the horizon increase flood risks in addition to these risk factors. Using modeling and estimation, the research team determined the total weight of buildings in New York City to be 764 million tons.

An aerial view of Manhattan, New York: an island dotted with skyscrapers surrounded by water.
Tall and heavy buildings in New York City increase flood risks. © Imago / Wearstock

USA: In addition to New York City, Staten Island also plunges steeply

The rate of concrete subsidence depends, among other things, on soil conditions. According to this, clay soils and artificially filled areas have the possibility of sinking from 7.5 to 60 cm due to development, with an average of a good 29 cm. Other soils are less likely to yield under load, with average values ​​of 6 to 12 cm. The researchers determined the rock subsidence probability to be 0 to 0.5 cm. Because with this subsoil, the ground deforms immediately after construction, and then hardly deforms.

In addition, there is a natural subsidence in the New York area that stems from the last Ice Age. The authors stress that the overhang of the building only contributes to the reduction. Strong subsidence has also been observed in northern Staten Island, where the construction load is low.

NEW YORK – 90 percent of buildings are not built for flooding

Scientists warn of a careless approach to the development of the city. After Hurricane Sandy, 90 percent of buildings in flood-prone areas were not built to flood exposure standards. Groundwater extraction could lead to further decline.

The East River and Harlem River bring little sediment to New York Harbor due to the filling of tributaries. Geologists write that this makes the city more vulnerable to flooding from northeasterly winds and hurricanes. Lower Manhattan is likely to be particularly affected: the southern tip of the mid-area lies only one to two meters above sea level. (g/dpa)

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