Subsidence Threatens Over 270 Million in Chinese Cities, Study Finds

New research highlights that nearly half of China's urban areas are sinking, exacerbating flood risks and infrastructure challenges.

Nearly half of China's urban land is subsiding, with significant portions sinking more than 10mm annually, posing serious threats to infrastructure and increasing flood risks.
Satellite data analysis from 2015 to 2022 reveals that around 270 million people, or a third of China's urban population, are affected by subsidence.
Experts cite groundwater extraction, heavy urban construction, and natural geological changes as primary causes of the sinking cities.
Coastal cities face dual threats from subsidence and rising sea levels, potentially leading to more frequent and severe flooding.
The economic impact of subsidence in China is substantial, costing over $1 billion annually in damages.