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NYC is now sinking at the same rate as Venice



The dire state of New York City's sinking conundrum cannot be taken lightly, as recent scientific research reveals. A published paper, rife with perplexing implications, discloses that the bustling financial hub of the United States is gradually succumbing to its own weight. An astonishing 1.48 trillion pounds of architectural structures presently burden the city, causing it to steadily descend into an abyss.

According to this disquieting study, New York City plunges a disconcerting two to four millimeters each year, with certain areas exhibiting even more pronounced subsidence. This dismaying predicament, compounded by escalating sea levels stemming from the perils of global warming, portends an impending natural disaster of monumental proportions. Earth's Future, the scientific journal of esteemed geophysicist Tom Parsons from the United States Geological Survey, serves as a somber platform for his compelling revelation. Parsons expounds upon the disconcerting amalgamation of factors, cautioning that it signifies an escalating quandary plaguing the city's coastal and riverfront regions. In a stern tone, he avers, "The primary objective of this paper lies in heightening collective consciousness regarding the ramifications that accompany each additional towering edifice, particularly those adorning the riverbanks. Their presence may undeniably exacerbate the menace of future inundation." Drawing a disheartening parallel, Parsons equates the predicament in New York City with the perilous sinking predicament witnessed in Venice, as both cities teeter on the brink of oblivion, submerging at an equivalent pace.

As the ominous specter of global warming looms ever larger on the world stage, cities worldwide must grapple with the stupefying quandary of sinking territories. A striking exemplification of this predicament is found in Indonesia's audacious proposal to construct an entirely new capital city, as its current metropolis, Jakarta, precariously inches towards its watery demise. Parsons asserts that New York City is not yet gripped by the throes of an emergent crisis, but he emphatically implores scientists to contemplate the path forward. The prevailing quandary revolves around the strategic mitigation of this burgeoning catastrophe before it spirals beyond control. Parsons acknowledges that certain sections of the city will undoubtedly descend at a more alarming rate than others, singling out vulnerable locales such as the East River in Queens, Brooklyn, Coney Island, Jamaica Bay, and the Rockaways. Intriguingly, Parsons acknowledges that most of Manhattan's lofty skyscrapers are solidly moored to bedrock, rendering them "far less susceptible" to compression compared to soil-based structures. Nevertheless, the relentless force exerted by these colossal edifices continues to weigh heavily upon the city's foundations. The forthcoming actions and initiatives of New York City to abate these burgeoning perils remain shrouded in uncertainty, leaving the world pondering their ultimate course of action.


Photo: unsplash.com/florianwehde