Denver, Dallas among the Major U.S. Cities Sinking into the Ground
Scientific American4 days
The sinking crisis is an urgent infrastructure emergency that demands immediate attention. As cities continue expanding and climate change intensifies, the compounding effects of subsidence with extreme weather events pose unprecedented risks to urban stability. The situation is particularly critical in rapidly growing cities where increased water demand accelerates ground collapse, threatening billions in infrastructure and public safety.
While concerning, the situation is manageable through proven mitigation strategies. Cities like Phoenix have successfully addressed subsidence through groundwater management and conservation policies. Strategic interventions such as enhanced drainage systems, artificial wetlands, and building code adaptations can effectively address these challenges. The key is implementing proactive monitoring and science-based planning rather than viewing this as an insurmountable crisis.