Columbus is very slowly sinking into the ground
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Columbus is slowly sinking into the ground, one of a handful of major U.S. cities dropping across almost the entirety of its boundaries.
Why it matters: This sinking — called urban land subsidence — poses a threat to infrastructure like buildings, roads and rail lines. Severe damage from seemingly invisible shifts can happen with little to no warning.
The latest: In a new study published in the research journal Nature Cities, researchers calculated subsidence rates for the 28 most populous U.S. cities from 2015 to 2021.
- In every city, at least 20% of its area is sinking.
- In 25 of 28, at least 65% is sinking.
Zoom in: Columbus is among 10 cities facing the most extreme subsidence, with about 98% of their land affected. The others include Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis.
- The study reports Columbus is dropping an average of about 2 millimeters each year.
- It also highlights a flood risk in Central Ohio that could require "upgraded structural protection, raised land, improved drainage systems and green infrastructure."
Threat level: A few millimeters a year means more than you might suspect.
- The latent nature of this risk means that infrastructure can be silently compromised over time, with damage only becoming evident when it is severe or potentially catastrophic," researchers wrote. "This risk is often exacerbated in rapidly expanding urban centers."
The big picture: Traditionally, subsidence has been a worry on the coasts, but the study finds that "subsidence also threatens inland urban areas."
- "Globally, the narrative of sinking cities has drawn widespread attention to rapidly sinking coastal areas, such as Jakarta, Bangkok, Venice and New Orleans," researchers wrote. "However, beyond these vulnerable coastal cities, a broader spectrum of major cities worldwide, including inland metropolises such as Mexico City, Beijing and Tehran, are experiencing major subsidence at rates that necessitate immediate attention due to their potential impacts on infrastructure."
Behind the scenes: How can Columbus respond? City leaders aren't sure yet.
- Asked to comment on the study, Mayor Andrew Ginther's office pointed Axios to the city's Sustainable Columbus team.
What they're saying: The team's assistant director Erin Beck tells Axios that, although "this is the first we are hearing" of the research, she feels it emphasizes the importance of the Columbus Climate Action Plan, a living document that aims to combat the effects of climate change.
- "As we review this study more closely, we'll assess how its findings might inform the city's ongoing efforts to build a more resilient Columbus," Beck says.