Venice Isn’t The Only One: 7 Sinking Cities Around The Globe
When we think of sinking cities , Venice often comes to mind. Yet land subsidence is a global issue affecting major urban hubs across continents. Driven by groundwater extraction , rapid urbanisation, heavy infrastructure, and natural geological settling, this phenomenon paired with rising sea levels poses a serious threat to coastal cities worldwide.
Here are seven sinking cities confronting this challenge:
1. Jakarta
Often labelled the fastest-sinking city in the world, Jakarta faces severe land subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction and the immense weight of urban infrastructure. Some areas are sinking by several centimetres each year. Combined with sea level rise , this has prompted Indonesia to plan the relocation of its capital.
2. Venice
Famous for its canals, Venice has long battled subsidence. Natural geological settling since the last Ice Age, along with historic groundwater pumping, has caused the city to gradually sink. Frequent flooding and climate change intensify the risk to this cultural treasure.
3. New York City
The weight of skyscrapers and dense infrastructure adds pressure to the ground beneath New York City. In low-lying coastal areas, subsidence combined with rising sea levels increases flood vulnerability, particularly during storms.
4. Houston
In Houston, extensive groundwater extraction and oil and gas pumping have contributed to land subsidence. The shifting soil has led to cracks in infrastructure and heightened long-term risks for residents.
5. Rotterdam
Situated in the Rhine–Meuse delta, Rotterdam faces natural geological settling and persistent water management challenges. Although the Netherlands is renowned for advanced flood defences, subsidence remains a serious concern.
6. Virginia Beach
Groundwater pumping and tectonic processes contribute to subsidence in Virginia Beach. With hurricane exposure and rising seas, flood risks are steadily increasing.
7. Bangkok
Built on soft clay soil, Bangkok is particularly vulnerable. Rapid urbanisation and unregulated groundwater extraction have accelerated sinking, making flooding a recurring threat.
Here are seven sinking cities confronting this challenge:
1. Jakarta
Often labelled the fastest-sinking city in the world, Jakarta faces severe land subsidence due to excessive groundwater extraction and the immense weight of urban infrastructure. Some areas are sinking by several centimetres each year. Combined with sea level rise , this has prompted Indonesia to plan the relocation of its capital.2. Venice
Famous for its canals, Venice has long battled subsidence. Natural geological settling since the last Ice Age, along with historic groundwater pumping, has caused the city to gradually sink. Frequent flooding and climate change intensify the risk to this cultural treasure. 3. New York City
The weight of skyscrapers and dense infrastructure adds pressure to the ground beneath New York City. In low-lying coastal areas, subsidence combined with rising sea levels increases flood vulnerability, particularly during storms.4. Houston
In Houston, extensive groundwater extraction and oil and gas pumping have contributed to land subsidence. The shifting soil has led to cracks in infrastructure and heightened long-term risks for residents. 5. Rotterdam
Situated in the Rhine–Meuse delta, Rotterdam faces natural geological settling and persistent water management challenges. Although the Netherlands is renowned for advanced flood defences, subsidence remains a serious concern. 6. Virginia Beach
Groundwater pumping and tectonic processes contribute to subsidence in Virginia Beach. With hurricane exposure and rising seas, flood risks are steadily increasing. 7. Bangkok
Built on soft clay soil, Bangkok is particularly vulnerable. Rapid urbanisation and unregulated groundwater extraction have accelerated sinking, making flooding a recurring threat. Next Story