Does an apocalyptic future await the East Coast? NYC is not the only place that is sinking

The planet has been in constant transformation for millions of years and, obviously, that is not going to change no matter how much we humans believe we are the owners of this place called planet Earth.

If we add to this the actions of humans on the planet, we find ourselves with emerging problems such as the fact that... New York is sinking!

Photo: Unsplash - Andre Benz

We realize this isn't exactly new information (the band The Tragically Hip was already singing about it in the 1990s, after all!). Still, it seems that the rate at which the city is sinking is happening faster than expected. It also may be affecting more cities and people than the experts imagined.

Photo: Unsplash - Matt Nelson

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A study carried out by the United States Geological Survey indicates that, in addition to the Big Apple, places like Long Island, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Baltimore could also be sinking.

Photo: Unsplash - Colin Lloyd

To carry out this study, scientists used pioneering technology that, using space radar satellites, has analyzed in detail the evolution of the terrain of the Atlantic coast.

Photo: Unsplash - Daniel Halseth

With the data obtained, researchers have been able to develop digital maps that have shown the reality of the North American east coast: it is sinking at a rate that ranges between 2-5 mm per year.

Photo: Unsplash - Ian Dinmore

Yes, this may be a very slow and gradual process, but the affected cities are sinking nonetheless and they are at risk.

Photo: Unsplash - Pierre Bouyer

To begin with, as the researchers point out, this progressive sinking could lead to "potential damage to the infrastructure" of the indicated locations.

Photo: Unsplash - Matteo Catanese

We are talking about damage to roads, cuts in gas lines, water lines, electricity lines, we are even talking about collapses of entire buildings.

Photo: Unsplash - Jens Aber

The risk does not stop there, as they also point out that the more the cities sink, the "greater the risk of flooding" there will be, with the danger that this implies.

And, to the sinking of the land, we must add the possible rises in ocean levels, caused by climate change, a combination that could be fatal for the east coast.

Photo: Unsplash - Chris Barbalis

Yes, this scenario seems straight out of a Hollywood apocalyptic movie about the end of the world, but that is precisely what this study warns of, the real danger facing the world, in general, and the east coast of the United States, in particular.

Photo: Unsplash - Oleg Chursin

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