Dozens of cities along the US coastline are sinking at alarming rates, leaving them far more exposed to devastating flooding from sea level rise than previously thought, scientists reported Wednesday. Cities on the East Coast where sinking land is exacerbating sea level rise include New York City and Atlantic City; Virginia Beach; Charleston, South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia. As much as a third of sea level rise in this region over the next three decades could come from the sinking effect, the report found. On the Gulf, southern Louisiana is a hot spot for sinking land, as is southeast Texas, including the areas around Galveston, Freeport and Corpus Christi. Additionally, researchers say most sea level rise studies make projections for the end of the century, which “is viewed as too far (away) to begin planning,” Shirzaei said.

Source: CNN March 07, 2024 20:23 UTC