The land in parts of California is sinking, and this has serious implications for coastal communities. New research points out that some areas, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, are dropping faster than the sea is rising. This means that cities facing the ocean could be at a greater risk of major flooding in the future.
Marin Govorcin, a scientist from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explains, "In many parts of the world, like the reclaimed ground beneath San Francisco, the land is moving down faster than the sea itself is going up." Some regions, such as Santa Barbara, are even experiencing uplift due to groundwater replenishment.
The factors behind this vertical land motion are both natural and human-made. Tectonic plate movements and groundwater extraction contribute to these changes. In California’s Central Valley, for instance, land is sinking up to eight inches a year, primarily due to excessive groundwater pumping. This alarming rate is fueled by ongoing drought conditions.
A concerning statistic from a 2018 climate assessment indicates that by 2050, sea levels in California could rise by 6 to 14.5 inches compared to the year 2000. The potential economic impact of this rise could reach around $17.9 billion in damages to homes and businesses, particularly affecting coastal areas.
Moreover, human activities further complicate sea level predictions. For places like Los Angeles and San Diego, uncertainties from these activities could add up to 15 inches (or 40 centimeters) to sea level projections. This unpredictability makes it challenging for scientists to provide accurate forecasts.
It’s not just California; other cities like Chicago and New York City are also gradually sinking. The connection between sinking land and rising sea levels is a global issue affecting numerous coastal communities. Without proper preparation and efforts to combat climate change, many areas may find themselves in dire situations.
In a broader context, these findings highlight the critical need for integrating local vertical land movement data into sea level projections. Doing this can help communities develop better strategies for adapting to the changing environment. As climate change continues to impact our planet, understanding these dynamics becomes increasingly important for safeguarding vulnerable regions.
For more detailed insights, you can read the full report in the journal Science Advances and check out NASA’s findings here.
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