Florida

South Florida’s beachfront buildings found to be sinking faster than expected

Published

12 months ago

December 19, 2024

South Florida’s beachfront buildings found to be sinking faster than expected

Schematic illustrating potential scenario to explain the observed subsidence pattern. Credit: Earth and Space Science (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2024EA003852

A team of mechanical, architectural and environmental engineers, geoscientists, and geoinformation specialists affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. and Germany has found that many of the tall, heavy buildings along the coast of South Florida are sinking into the ground much faster than was expected.

In their study published in the journal Earth and Space Science, the group compared satellite images over several years to learn more about ongoing subsidence along multiple beachfronts.

Prior research has shown that many factors can lead to subsidence, in which the altitude of a given parcel of land declines. Natural causes include water movement, earthquakes and gravity. Manmade causes include the heaviness of the built environment, including large buildings, and activities including fracking and landscaping.

In this new study, the researchers noted that the many tall buildings along many parts of the coast in South Florida appeared to be extremely heavy. They wondered if adding so much weight might be causing the ground beneath them to sink.

To find out, the researchers obtained precise satellite imagery for several of the most popular beaches in South Florida and compared 35 buildings standing on them over time. Modern satellite imagery is so precise it can detect changes in altitude of just a few centimeters. The researchers found that every one of the buildings they measured was sinking, ranging from 2 to 8 cm over the years 2016 to 2023, and that most of them were sinking faster than expected.

The research team also found that there were differences in subsidence between beach areas. The worst, for example, was occurring on Sunny Isles Beach; after that was Surfside, site of the collapse of a 12-story building back in 2021. Miami Beach, they noted, was experiencing the least amount of subsidence.

Because of the building collapse three years ago, the researchers took a closer look at Surfside to find out if subsidence may have been a contributing cause and found no evidence. Even if the building had been sinking, they note, it should not have led to structural damage unless it was sinking unevenly, with one part of the ground under the building sinking faster than another.

They suggest more work is required to determine if that is happening to any of the buildings in South Florida, and if so, to warn their owners.

More information:
Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani et al, InSAR Observations of Construction‐Induced Coastal Subsidence on Miami’s Barrier Islands, Florida, Earth and Space Science (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2024EA003852

Citation:
South Florida’s beachfront buildings found to be sinking faster than expected (2024, December 19)
retrieved 19 December 2024
from https://phys.org/news/2024-12-south-florida-beachfront-faster.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Source link

Related Topics:Featured Materials Nanotech physics Physics News science Science News technology technology news

Click to comment

Florida

Gisele Bündchen and Joaquim Valente enjoy Florida day date on jet skis

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Gisele Bündchen and Joaquim Valente enjoy Florida day date on jet skis

Gisele Bündchen and her boyfriend, Joaquim Valente, soaked up the sun during a jet skiing date in Florida.

The model and the MMA athlete appeared in good spirits while on the water near their home in Surfside on Saturday.

They both stayed close to each other and sported life vests.

Bündchen, 35, appeared to be wearing a white one-piece bathing suit underneath her vest.

She accessorized with sunglasses and styled her hair in a ponytail.

As for Valente, he sported black swim trunks.

The couple, who have been romantically linked since 2023, enjoyed some quality time together after welcoming a son together in February.

While Bündchen and Valente have shied away from revealing too much about their infant, they recently took him out on a boat ride in September.

At the time, the former Victoria’s Secret model was seen cradling her son while her beau took the wheel.

Valente then adorably held onto their 10-month-old, as Bündchen watched in awe.

The health guru also shared a rare glimpse of her son alongside her 16-year-old son, Benjamin, in October.

The teenager adorably held onto his little brother while playing the piano.

Bündchen shares Benjamin and her daughter Vivian, 13, with her ex-husband, Tom Brady.

The exes were wed from 2009 to 2022.

The former NFL star also shares an 18-year-old son, Jack, with his ex Bridget Moynahan.

Source link

Florida

Florida Class 4A state championship: How to watch American Heritage vs. Jones

Published

22 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Florida Class 4A state championship: How to watch American Heritage vs. Jones

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) football state championships continued last night down in Miami at Pitbull Stadium as the Raines Vikings upset the Northwestern Bulls for the the Class 3A state championship, provind the most exciting game of the week thus far. Another rematch from last year’s finals pits the American Heritage Patriots versus the Jones Tigers for the Class 4A state championship this afternoon. We preview the sixth of seven FHSAA state championship games as teams begin being crowned as champions of their classifications.

How to Watch American Heritage vs. Jones in Florida 4A state championship game

Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Fla.
TV Channel: NFHS Network

American Heritage Players to Watch

QB Leon Strawder: Strawder is making his second consecutive appearance in a state championship game, this time with a different team, however. The senior has thrown for 2,052 yards and 19 touchdowns.

WR Jamar Denson: Of the star-studded wide receiving corps for American Heritage, its Denson who has been Mr. Reliable thus far this season. Throughout the course of the season, Denson has hauled in 69 passes for 991 yards and 15 touchdowns.

WR Jeffar Jean-Noel: The Georgia Tech commit has been the second option behind Denson on offense, with Jean-Noel catching 57 passes for 795 yards and six touchdowns.

LB Dylan Bennett: Anchoring the front seven of the Patriots’ defense is the senior linebacker, who currently leads the team with 61 total tackles, 17 them going for a loss and five sacks.

Jones Players to Watch

QB Dereon Coleman: The Miami signee is as calm as they come in the pocket as the senior quarterback has thrown for 2,749 yards, 28 touchdowns and only three picks this Florida high school football season.

WR Larry Miles: Coleman’s favorite target to throw to is the Nebraska signee as the senior looks to end his high school career with a state crown. Miles has caught 88 passes for 1,111 and 10 touchdowns.

OL Xavier Payne: The 6-foot-7, 275-pound Colorado offensive tackle signee will have the job of making sure Coleman stands upright throughout the afternoon against American Heritage’s pass rush.

EDGE Frederick Ards: The 2027 four-star EDGE rusher for the Tigers has been superb, racking up 73 tackles, 13 for loss and 11 sacks.

Where to Watch the Florida Class 4A state championship on livestream:

You can watch the American Heritage Patriots take on the Jones Tigers starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on NFHS Network.

For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Florida.

Source link