SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A recent study has found that nearly 35 high-rise condos and luxury hotels along South Florida’s coastline are experiencing unexpected sinking or settling. This phenomenon may be linked to nearby construction activities, researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science have reported.
Surveying a stretch of nearly 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Miami Beach to Sunny Isles Beach, the study revealed that these structures have sunk or settled between 0.8 to 3.1 inches (2 to 8 cm), with about half of the buildings being less than ten years old. The findings were published on Friday.
Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani, the lead author, expressed surprise at the discovery of subsidence hotspots along the coastline, stating, “The extent of these changes was unexpected. This research highlights the necessity for ongoing monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long-term impacts on these buildings.”
While it is normal for buildings to sink slightly during and immediately after construction, the scientists found it concerning that some changes occurred years later. The region’s limestone foundation, which is mixed with sandy layers, tends to shift under the weight of tall buildings and vibrations from construction. The study also identified that tidal flows and construction projects situated over 1,050 feet (320 meters) away contributed to the observed settling.
Utilizing satellite imagery, the researchers noted that the most significant sinking occurred in Sunny Isles Beach. Preliminary data suggest that similar issues may be emerging further north along the beaches of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
One of the communities surveyed was Surfside, infamous for the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in June 2021, which resulted in 98 fatalities. Although that incident is attributed to poor maintenance and design flaws rather than ground subsidence, it underscores the critical need for continuous monitoring of building stability in coastal regions prone to corrosive environmental conditions.
The research team aims to further investigate if different sections of these affected buildings are sinking at varying rates, which could potentially cause structural cracks and utility failures, leading to long-term damage. Additionally, a separate study released earlier this year indicated that various major cities along the Atlantic Coast, including New York City, Long Island, Baltimore, and Virginia Beach, are sinking at rates that exceed the rise in sea levels.
