A recent study published in the journal Science revealed that almost Half of China’s cities are sinking by about three millimeters each year. A phenomenon that would be driven by human activities carried out in the area.
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To carry out the investigation, the team analyzed satellite images to determine the extent of land subsidence in 82 Chinese cities. The results showed that around 40% of the land is suffering from moderate to severe collapse, which increases the risk of flooding for a large number of inhabitants.
This situation appears to be associated with several factors, including water extraction and the weight of buildings. In fact, experts estimate that Shanghai alone has sunk more than three meters over the last century.
China EFE
Looking to the future, the report estimates that by 2120 between 22 and 26% of China’s coastal lands will have a relative elevation below sea level and They will house between 9 and 11% of the coastal population. This is in response to the combined effect of the sinking of cities and rising sea levels.
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This phenomenon is not reserved only for China, since other nations face a similar problem in their large cities. Such is the case of the United States and the ‘Big Apple’.
Researchers have shown that New York has been losing 0.010 to 0.020 centimeters toward the sea each year. If we add to this the rise in sea level and the intensification of storms, the risks of long-term flooding become more present.
NY iStock
A similar situation is what Jakarta (Indonesia) is going through. In this case, as a result of the sinking, the average annual water growth is close to 25 centimeters. In fact, flooding in this area has become so frequent that government entities have even considered the possibility of a move.
Mexico City (Mexico) is not far behind. The effects of underground water extraction in some areas of the capital have resulted in up to 35 centimeters of subsidence being recorded each year. Furthermore, another factor that has intervened in this situation is its geographical location.
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