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Study finds land in 28 major US cities is sinking, with Houston topping the list and millions of people already impacted by structural and flood risks
A study published in the journal Nature Cities revealed an invisible threat that is advancing beneath the feet of millions of Americans: 28 of US cities are sinking.
In some regions, such as Houston, Texas, land subsidence is already reaching 5 centimeters per year, putting the safety of infrastructure and the lives of millions of residents at risk.
The main cause: groundwater withdrawal
According to the research, 80% of subsidence cases are directly linked to excessive extraction of groundwater.
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The pressure to supply urban and industrial consumption has led to exploration continuous depletion of aquifers. As the reservoirs are emptied, the soil loses support and begins to subside, slowly but steadily.
This phenomenon already affects 34 million people in the urban areas studied. The impact is not immediate nor always visible, but over the years, the accumulated effects become serious.
Houston tops list of cities at risk
Of all the cities analyzed, Houston is the most affected. About 42% of the city's urban area is sinking more than 5 millimeters per year.
In 12% of the city, this subsidence exceeds 10 millimeters per year. In some areas, the loss reaches 5 centimeters in height per year.
This lowering of the ground significantly increases the risk of flooding, especially in contexts of heavy rains and hurricanes, frequent events in the region.
Additional factors aggravate the problem
Although water extraction is the main cause, it is not the only one. The excessive weight of buildings and structures, especially in areas with soft soil, contributes to instability. In addition, oil and gas extraction, common in regions such as Texas, also influences soil compaction. Industrial and urban activities, in general, alter the geological balance and exacerbate the problem.
Uneven ground movement affects urban structures
In cities like San Jose, Memphis and Jacksonville, the ground isn’t just sinking: It’s moving unevenly. Some areas are sinking, while others are staying the same or even rising. This differential movement puts stress on structures like buildings, pipes and roads.
This type of damage often goes unnoticed for years, until signs become visible or the damage is significant. In San Antonio, for example, one in 45 buildings is at high risk of structural damage from this movement.
Although the study focuses on the United States, the phenomenon is global. California’s Central Valley sank 8,5 feet between 1926 and 1970 due to groundwater extraction. In Mexico City, some areas continue to sink by up to 50 inches per year.
Proposed solutions: adaptation and restoration
The study also presents possible solutions. One of them is the construction of urban wetlands, which help to retain rainwater and reduce pressure on aquifers. Another is the active recharge of aquifers, with technologies to return part of the water to the subsoil.
In addition, the researchers suggest the adoption of resilient infrastructures capable of adapting to soil deformations. They also recommend urban policies that limit expansion into unstable areas.
The 28 cities identified, in order of most accelerated changes on the ground, include Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Denver, Seattle, Columbus, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Detroit, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Washington, Nashville, San Francisco, Portland, San Diego, Philadelphia, Austin, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, El Paso, Boston, Los Angeles, Memphis, San Jose and Jacksonville.
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