Research Quantified Widespread US Coastal Land Subsidence
A study analyzing data from 2007 to 2020 revealed that 71.5 percent of US coastal areas are sinking.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Geography
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Researchers analyzed 190 million data points to determine that 71.5 percent of US coastal areas subsided faster than 0.1 centimeters per year between 2007 and 2020. The study shows that 43 percent of the coast sinks by at least 0.2 centimeters annually, threatening existing infrastructure.
Why it matters
Subsidence reduces the effectiveness of critical defensive structures like sea walls and levees, heightening flood risks for the 84.3 million people living in these coastal census tracts. This land loss is driven by both natural geological settling and human-induced groundwater depletion.
The study utilized 190 million data points measuring vertical land motion to confirm 71.5 percent of coastal areas subside at rates exceeding 0.1 centimeters per year. While the Gulf Coast recorded the highest rates, the analysis found that 23.3 percent of the US coast sinks at least 0.3 centimeters annually.
The players
Communications Earth & Environment
A peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes research on Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences.
The details
Researchers determined these rates by analyzing satellite radar data, where signals were bounced off the earth to measure precise changes in surface elevation. This process accounts for land movement caused by natural compaction of sediment and the excessive pumping of groundwater for human use. These measurements demonstrate how geological and anthropogenic factors cumulatively degrade the elevation of coastal census tracts relative to sea level.
Timeline
2007-2020: Researchers analyzed vertical land motion data for US coastal areas.
The Tech Race
This study follows a pattern set by recent geological modeling efforts published in Communications Earth & Environment. It significantly advances the field by integrating 190 million satellite-derived data points into a singular national assessment.
The findings suggest that existing levees, drainage systems, and sea walls in affected coastal tracts may offer less protection than originally designed. Residents and local planners will likely face increased costs or requirements for retrofitting infrastructure to compensate for the documented loss in land elevation.
The takeaway
This analysis provides a baseline for understanding how sinking land levels diminish the protective capacity of coastal infrastructure. Watch for updated assessments as researchers incorporate new satellite data to refine these subsidence rates over the coming years.
Further reading
For more information on regional physical changes, visit Geography.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScienceAlert.
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