Study Finds Nearly Three Dozen Florida Oceanfront Buildings Are Sinking

Miami Beach, FL - A new study from the University of Miami has revealed that 35 oceanfront buildings between Miami Beach and Sunny Isles Beach are experiencing subsidence, a phenomenon where the ground sinks or settles.

The research, conducted by scientists at the UM Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, found that subsidence levels ranged from two to eight centimeters between 2016 and 2023.

Using satellite radar technology, researchers measured millimeter-scale displacements on fixed building elements like balconies, rooftop air conditioners, and boardwalks to determine how much sinking was occurring.

Buildings in Sunny Isles Beach showed the most significant subsidence effects, followed by Surfside, the site of the tragic 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium, which killed nearly 100 people.

Sinking was also detected in two buildings in Miami Beach and one in Bal Harbour.

However, researchers clarified that no displacement signals were detected at Champlain Towers South before its collapse, suggesting that subsidence was not a contributing factor in that incident.

The study, published in the journal Earth and Space Science, highlights the importance of continued monitoring.

“The discovery of the extent of subsidence hotspots along the South Florida coastline was unexpected,” said lead author Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani.

“The study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long-term implications for these structures.”

Researchers believe that the shifting of sandy layers beneath buildings, triggered by the weight of the structures and construction vibrations, is the primary cause of the sinking.

Other factors, such as tidal flows or the cracking of South Florida's limestone subsurface, could also play a role.

Newly built buildings, the study noted, typically experience settlement of several centimeters during and after construction, but the data shows that subsidence can persist for years.

The findings serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of South Florida’s coastal infrastructure.

With sea level rise and other environmental challenges, the study emphasizes the need for long-term strategies to address the potential risks associated with subsidence in these densely populated areas.