Nearly Half of Houston’s Land Is Sinking at Alarming Rates

Houston is now the fastest-sinking major city in the United States, with new research revealing that 42% of its land area is subsiding at a rate greater than 5 millimeters per year-more than double the rate considered to threaten infrastructure stability. In some areas, the ground is sinking even faster, with 12% of the city experiencing subsidence rates above 10 millimeters per year.

What’s Causing Houston to Sink?

The primary driver of this alarming subsidence is groundwater pumping. As Houston’s population grows and demand for water increases, excessive extraction from underground aquifers causes the ground above to compact and sink.. Oil and gas extraction, as well as the natural expansion and contraction of the city’s clay-rich soils, also contribute to localized subsidence, especially in rapidly developing suburbs like Katy, The Woodlands, and Mont Belvieu.

The Hidden Risks

Unlike flooding, where dangers are immediately visible, subsidence is a slow-moving hazard that can silently compromise the city’s infrastructure. Buildings, roads, bridges, and pipelines are at risk of cracking and destabilization due to uneven ground movement. Damage often becomes apparent only when it is severe or potentially catastrophic.

“The latent nature of this risk means that infrastructure can be silently compromised over time with damage only becoming evident when it is severe or potentially catastrophic,” said Manoochehr Shirzaei, an expert on urban land motion.

Why Is This Especially Concerning?

• Widespread Impact: Houston’s 42% subsidence rate at over 5 mm/year is the highest among the 28 largest U.S. cities studied, with Dallas and Fort Worth not far behind.
• Infrastructure Vulnerability: Even small differences in subsidence rates between neighboring areas can cause significant structural strain, leading to cracks and failures in buildings and roads.
• Flooding Risks: As land sinks, flood risks increase, especially in low-lying neighborhoods. Floodwaters can further compress soils, creating a feedback loop that accelerates sinking.

What’s Being Done?

Efforts to regulate groundwater extraction in some areas have reduced subsidence, but rapid urban growth and continued resource extraction mean the problem persists and is expanding into new suburbs. Advanced satellite monitoring and geospatial analysis are now helping scientists and policymakers identify the most at-risk areas and plan mitigation strategies.

Looking Ahead

With nearly half of Houston’s land sinking at rates that threaten its infrastructure, the city faces a mounting challenge. Without coordinated action to manage groundwater use and monitor land movement, the risks to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure will only grow more severe.

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