One-third of China’s population is at risk of land sinking below sea level: study
It is estimated that up to 270 million city dwellers might be impacted, with around 70 million of them undergoing swift land descent of at least 10 millimeters each year
Recent studies suggest that nearly one-third of the people living in China’s cities could face risks due to the gradual sinking of land, a situation reflecting a wider global issue. According to researchers, China’s urban regions below sea level are expected to triple by 2120, impacting between 55 and 128 million individuals.
A group of scientists, which includes members from the UK’s University of East Anglia, discovered that almost half of the urban areas they examined are experiencing subsidence, and about one-sixth of these areas are descending at a rate of 10 millimeters annually. Major affected areas include the capital, Beijing, and the seaside metropolis of Tianjin.
The investigation, which utilized satellite imagery, covered 82 cities such as Shanghai and Beijing, which are home to a combined population of almost 700 million people. It is estimated that up to 270 million city dwellers might be impacted, with around 70 million of them undergoing swift land descent of at least 10 millimeters each year. The journal ‘Science’ has published these findings.
Reasons behind land sinking
The primary cause of sinking land is human activity in urban settings, which can also amplify the effects of climate change and the rise in sea levels, particularly in coastal cities like Tianjin.
The main factors contributing to subsidence are the extraction of groundwater, which reduces the water table, as well as the geological features and the weight of urban structures.
When the researchers factored in the rise in sea levels along with the sinking land, they concluded that the area of China’s cities below sea level could triple by 2120, potentially affecting 55 to 128 million people. They warn that without significant action from society, the consequences could be disastrous.
Shanghai, the nation’s largest city, has reportedly sunk by as much as 3 meters over the last hundred years.
The research team emphasizes the importance of regular monitoring of land subsidence and suggests that predictive models should take into account various elements, including human activities and climate change.
Researchers warn that failing to consider land subsidence in adaptation and resilience plans could result in significant harm to people and infrastructure in the future.
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