Chinese Cities Face Sinking Issue: New Data Reveals Urban Population at Risk

A new study reveals that approximately 16% of China's major urban areas are losing over 10 millimeters of elevation per year. If this trend continues, up to a quarter of the country's coastal urban lands could be underwater within the next century. This research is significant as it is the first to measure subsidence across multiple urban areas simultaneously. The primary cause of this issue is the extraction of groundwater to cater to growing urban populations. However, it is important to note that there might be differences in the extent and rate of subsidence among different cities.