Overview

• A study published in Nature Cities confirms that all 28 most populous U.S. cities are experiencing land subsidence, with 25 cities seeing over two-thirds of their area sinking.
• Houston is the fastest-sinking city, with 42% of its area subsiding more than 5 mm annually and 12% sinking at twice that rate.
• Groundwater extraction is identified as the primary driver, accounting for 80% of subsidence, with oil and gas extraction exacerbating the issue in some regions.
• Localized variations in land motion, including differential sinking and uplift, pose uneven risks to urban infrastructure and increase flood vulnerabilities.
• The study highlights the need for proactive urban planning, including groundwater management, infrastructure adaptation, and monitoring to mitigate long-term risks.