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Houston is literally sinking fast
Houston isn’t just dealing with floods, it’s dropping under our feet. Over 40% of the city sinks more than 5 millimeters each year, with some areas sinking twice as fast. Scientists use satellites to track these shifts and reveal how quickly the ground is moving.
The main culprits are heavy groundwater pumping and decades of oil and gas extraction. This sinking threatens roads, homes, and the city’s drainage, making Houston more vulnerable to floods than ever.
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What causes a city to sink?
When water and oil are removed from the ground, soil and rock compress. Over time, this causes buildings and streets to tilt or crack. Engineers often have to reinforce foundations to prevent serious damage in sinking areas.
Houston isn’t alone, cities across the U.S. face similar threats. The problem is worse where pumping is intense, infrastructure is old, and natural soil is soft and prone to compression. Residents notice uneven sidewalks, cracked roads, and flooded basements in these zones.
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California’s sinking coastlines
Parts of California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, are sinking faster than the sea is rising…