Jakarta is sinking at an alarming rate—some parts of the city are subsiding by up to 10 cm per year, making it one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world. This rapid subsidence is primarily caused by excessive groundwater extraction. Many residents and businesses rely heavily on underground aquifers for their water supply due to the inadequate delivery of piped water in Jakarta. Over time, the continuous removal of groundwater has led to the compaction of soil, causing the ground to sink.
Jakarta's growing population and unregulated construction place immense pressure on the city’s delicate foundation. The weight of buildings, combined with insufficient drainage systems, exacerbates subsidence. To make matters worse, rising sea levels increase the risk of flooding in an already sinking city. Northern Jakarta, particularly, is sinking so quickly that some areas are now below sea level and experience frequent tidal flooding. Without significant intervention, the city faces escalating challenges, with millions of residents potentially at risk of displacement due to worsening land subsidence and coastal vulnerability.
Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, is experiencing significant land subsidence, sinking at rates up to approximately 87 millimeters per year—substantially higher than the global average. This rapid sinking, combined with rising sea levels due to climate change, exacerbates the city's vulnerability to severe annual flooding. Projections indicate that by 2100, a significant portion of Lagos could be submerged if current trends continue.
Several factors contribute to Lagos's subsidence. Excessive groundwater extraction to meet the demands of its growing population leads to soil compaction and ground sinking. Additionally, sand mining for construction erodes coastlines and destroys protective wetlands, further diminishing natural barriers against flooding. Poorly maintained drainage systems and unregulated urban development exacerbate the situation, highlighting the need for comprehensive urban planning and environmental conservation to mitigate these challenges.
Houston is subsiding at varying rates, with some areas sinking as much as 2 inches annually. While the average rate is slower, this gradual land subsidence presents a serious challenge across the region. The main culprit is excessive groundwater pumping. For decades, industries, agriculture, and residents have relied on aquifers for their water supply, particularly in areas where piped water is less available. This over-extraction causes the soil and clay layers underground to compress, resulting in irreversible sinking.
Natural geological factors and urban growth intensify the issue. Houston sits on a sediment-heavy foundation formed by ancient river deposits, making the land more susceptible to subsidence when water is removed. Meanwhile, rapid urbanization adds stress, as heavy infrastructure and sprawling developments alter the landscape. Combined with Houston’s vulnerability to flooding and sea level rise, this subsidence significantly raises the risks of property damage and environmental challenges for the region.
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is experiencing land subsidence primarily due to excessive groundwater extraction. Studies utilizing Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology have detected subsidence rates ranging from 0 to 10 millimeters per year in Dhaka. This subsidence is closely linked to the city's heavy reliance on groundwater for drinking and agricultural purposes, leading to significant declines in groundwater levels. The over-extraction of groundwater causes the compaction of underlying sediments, resulting in the gradual sinking of the land.
In addition to groundwater depletion, other factors contribute to Dhaka's subsidence. Rapid urbanization has led to the loss of vegetation and increased surface loading from infrastructure development, both of which exacerbate land sinking. The city's location within the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta makes it particularly susceptible to subsidence due to the natural compaction of deltaic sediments. If current trends continue, projections indicate that by 2070, Dhaka could have approximately 11.1 million people exposed to coastal flooding, underscoring the need for comprehensive water management and urban planning strategies to mitigate these challenges.
Venice has been sinking for centuries due to a combination of natural and human-driven factors. The city is built on wooden pilings driven into a marshy lagoon, and the underlying sediments are slowly compacting under the weight of its historic buildings. Additionally, tectonic activity and the gradual rising of the Adriatic Sea contribute to the problem. During the 20th century, the extraction of groundwater for industrial use significantly accelerated subsidence, though this practice was banned in the 1970s.
Today, Venice continues to sink at a rate of 1-2 millimeters per year while sea levels rise even faster due to climate change. This combination increases the frequency of flooding, especially during acqua alta (high tide events). The MOSE project, a system of mobile flood barriers, was designed to protect the city, but concerns remain about its long-term effectiveness. Without further intervention, Venice could face severe, possibly irreversible damage in the coming decades.
Virginia Beach, Virginia, is experiencing one of the highest rates of relative sea level rise on the U.S. East Coast. The city is sinking at an average rate of about 3-4 millimeters per year due to a combination of land subsidence and rising sea levels. One major cause is post-glacial isostatic adjustment—essentially, the land is slowly sinking because the Earth's crust is still responding to the retreat of ancient ice sheets. Additionally, groundwater withdrawal for drinking water and industry contributes to further subsidence.
Sea level rise in the region is also exacerbated by ocean currents and climate change. The slowing of the Gulf Stream causes water to pile up along the mid-Atlantic coast, raising local sea levels faster than the global average. With both land sinking and waters rising, Virginia Beach faces increased risks of coastal flooding, storm surge damage, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies.
Bangkok, Thailand, is sinking at an alarming rate of 1-2 centimeters per year, and in some areas, even faster. The city sits on soft clay at about 0.5 to 1.5 meters above sea level, making it exceptionally vulnerable to rising sea levels fueled by climate change. Factors such as melting glaciers are raising global waters, which creep inland by over a kilometer annually near Bangkok.
Coupled with heavy rainfall and extreme weather events, the city faces worsening floods. Its rapid urban development has paved over natural drainage systems, while unchecked groundwater extraction in the past has compounded the problem, leaving the capital poorly equipped to handle such challenges.
New Orleans is sinking, with some areas subsiding by as much as 6-12 millimeters per year. This rapid land loss is due to a combination of natural and human-induced factors. The city was built on soft, water-saturated delta sediments that naturally compacted over time. Historically, seasonal floods from the Mississippi River replenished these sediments, but levee construction has prevented this process, accelerating subsidence. Additionally, extensive groundwater and oil extraction have further contributed to the sinking.
The combination of sinking land and rising water means that the city’s flood defenses, including levees and pumps, must work harder each year to keep New Orleans above water. Without continued investment in flood mitigation and coastal restoration, parts of the city could become uninhabitable within the century.
Rotterdam is sinking, primarily due to soil subsidence and rising sea levels. Much of the city is built on soft, peaty soil that naturally compacts over time, causing gradual sinking at an average rate of about 1 to 2 millimeters per year, though some areas experience faster subsidence. Additionally, extensive groundwater extraction and urban construction further contribute to the ground sinking. At the same time, climate change is causing sea levels to rise, increasing the risk of flooding in a city that already sits largely below sea level.
To combat these threats, Rotterdam has invested heavily in adaptive infrastructure, such as floating buildings, advanced water management systems, and flood barriers like the Maeslantkering. However, long-term solutions remain challenging as the pace of subsidence and sea level rise is expected to accelerate. Without continued innovation and investment, parts of the city could become increasingly difficult to protect from flooding in the coming decades.
A recent study revealed that 35 buildings along Miami Beach have sunk by up to three inches between 2016 and 2023. This phenomenon, known as subsidence, is exacerbated by rising sea levels, creating a dual threat of flooding and structural instability. Factors like the erosion of Miami's limestone foundation and vibrations from nearby construction contribute to this issue.
Notably, iconic structures like the Surf Club Towers and Trump Tower III are among the affected buildings. Experts warn that this is likely a broader problem, raising concerns about the sustainability of development on Miami's vulnerable barrier islands.
