Florida
35 buildings on Florida's southern coast are sinking: Here's why
A study by the University of Miami has found that at least 35 buildings on Florida’s southern coast have sunk between 0.8 to 3.1 inches over seven years.
A new study by the University of Miami’s College of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences found that at least 35 buildings along Florida’s southern coast have sunk between 0.8 to 3.1 inches from 2016 and 2023.
According to the findings, the most significant sinkholes were in Sunny Isles Beach, while the least affected area was Surfside.
The researchers reached this conclusion using about 220 satellite images to create a time series of surface displacements. Through this process, “persistent radar scatterers” were used, which were able to identify reference points that changed location over time.
The main goal of the study is to underscore the need for continued monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long-term implications for these structures.”
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“While the findings cannot always provide definitive answers, higher-resolution satellites are available for further analysis,” Antonio Nanni, a professor of civil and architectural engineering at the University of Miami and co-author of the study, told CNN.
Popular structures featured in the study include iconic buildings in the area such as the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Trump Tower III, Trump International Beach, Faena Hotel, Surf Club Towers and the Porsche Design Tower.
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Why are buildings sinking?
According to the study, the cause of the sinking is a combination of several factors, including the shifting of sand layers caused by the great weight of buildings, especially those that are taller. The taller the buildings, the greater the weight, which exerts greater pressure on the ground and causes gradual settlement.
Another important factor could be the movement of groundwater, as well as the deformation of limestone, which is one of the components of the subsoil in the area, and the vibrations generated by the construction industry. All of these factors contribute to the loss of support and the possible collapse of structures.
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