Scientists: New York is sinking under the weight of its skyscrapers

The weight of skyscrapers in New York makes the city sink lower under the water. Scientists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have found that it is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 millimeters per year. Study published in Earth's Future magazine.

To determine a specific figure, scientists counted all the buildings in the city (1,084,954) and their total mass (762 billion kilograms). Then they created several computer models with different soil conditions and compared the results with data from satellites. They turned out to be about the same.

Moreover, some areas of the city are sinking much faster. For example, Lower Manhattan is sinking at a rate of 2.1 millimeters per year. Brooklyn and Queens are also at particular risk.

However, the weight of skyscrapers is only an aggravating factor. So far, the threat of rising sea levels along the Atlantic coast of North America is considered paramount. Here, this figure is 3-4 times higher than the world average, the authors of the study note.

They warn that by the year 2100, New York may sink by 48-150 centimeters. Although these are small numbers in a global sense, the gradual sinking into the water makes the city vulnerable to floods.