A recent study reveals alarming subsidence in South Florida high-rises, prompting urgent safety evaluations and future construction guidelines.
Fla. News — A recent study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science has disclosed a concerning trend: many high-rise condominiums along the South Florida coastline are sinking. This discovery has raised significant questions about the safety of these buildings and what measures can be taken to mitigate further subsidence.
While the study’s findings are problematic, they are not surprising. South Florida’s geology is characterized by a layer of soft, porous limestone that can be prone to subsidence. Additionally, the region’s high water table and frequent flooding events can exacerbate the problem.
Another pressing issue raised by the study is the increase of stormwater drainage wells, with over 5,700 installed near the shoreline to mitigate flooding. This excess water pushed onto already saturated layers, could lead to compaction and movement, exacerbated by rising sea levels.