New York City is sinking under the weight of its skyscrapers. This is what a scientific study published last week in the
revue Earth’s future. The big apple as it is called sinks every year by 1 to 2 millimeters. Imperceptible but actually very disturbing.
764 million tons of concrete
The American media are echoing this with reporters on the spot at the end of the tip of Manhattan. This is where the pressure from the skyline is strongest. In total, scientists estimate at 764 million tons the mass of concrete built on the foundations of New York, composed of clay, sand and silt.
Increasingly vulnerable to flooding
Much of Manhattan is actually only a meter or two above sea level. The slow and steady subsidence eventually makes the city increasingly vulnerable to flooding, especially when combined with global warming and the rising waters. New York which is not unique. Many expanding coastal cities experience this kind of phenomenon. Like Jakarta, for example, the Indonesian capital, which is sinking 11 cm per year.
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2023-05-22 07:00:00
#York #sinks #year #weight #skyscrapers
