New York City may appear solid beneath your feet, but it’s experiencing subtle vertical shifts that could have significant implications.
A recent NASA study conducted between 2016 and 2023 using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology has shed light on the New York City sinking dilemma
On average, the area has been sinking at a rate of 0.06 inches (1.6 millimeters) per year during this period. This subsidence is partly attributed to natural processes, dating back 24,000 years when a massive ice sheet covered New England. The land beneath New York rose during that time due to the ice sheet’s weight. As the ice melted, the region entered a process known as glacial isostatic adjustment, causing the land to revert to its normal levels and resulting in the New York City sinking.
However, the research uncovered some alarming findings related to human activity. Queens, in particular, faces accelerated subsidence, notably at LaGuardia Airport‘s runway 13/31 and Arthur Ashe Stadium, both situated on landfills. Governors Island and Rikers Island also experienced New York City sinking due to their landfill foundations. On the flip side, areas like East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Woodside, Queens, have witnessed land rising.
Experts suggest that groundwater pumping and injection wells might contribute to short-term uplift, particularly in Woodside
Further investigation into this New York City sinking phenomenon is underway. As NASA continues to study ground movements globally, the data collected could be invaluable for addressing the challenges of rising sea levels. The upcoming NASA-Indian Space Research Organization Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, set to launch next year, promises to further enhance our understanding of these critical dynamics.
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