Major US Cities Sinking Faster Than You Think, Warns NASA

The future of the US East Coast is at risk not just from rising sea levels but also from the subsidence of the land itself.

The US East Coast faces a double whammy from water, according to NASA. Rising sea levels are already a concern, but new research reveals the land itself is sinking, adding another layer of vulnerability to major cities like New York, Baltimore, and Norfolk.

Using satellite data and GPS sensors, scientists at Virginia Tech's Earth Observation and Innovation Lab discovered that parts of the coastline are subsiding by 1 to 2 millimeters per year between 2007 and 2020. While that may seem small, it compounds the threat posed by rising sea levels, potentially putting critical infrastructure and millions of residents at greater risk of flooding and coastal hazards.

This study highlights the complex challenges facing coastal communities as they grapple with the impacts of climate change. Addressing both rising seas and land subsidence will require comprehensive adaptation strategies to ensure the long-term resilience of these regions.

The encroachment of saltwater and land subsidence has led to the displacement of forests, impacting not only wildlife but also human structures. Along the coast, around 897,000 structures, including highways and airports, are situated on land experiencing subsidence.