News Summary
A recent geologic study published in Nature Cities reveals that San Antonio is the fastest-sinking city in the U.S., sinking at a rate of -1.099 millimeters per year. The study highlights serious infrastructural and environmental concerns, with thousands of buildings at risk due to land subsidence. The report emphasizes the urgent need for infrastructure adaptations and monitoring as the city faces growing environmental challenges.
San Antonio has been identified as one of the fastest-sinking cities in the United States, according to a geologic study published in the journal Nature Cities on May 8, 2025. The study assessed land subsidence rates in the 28 largest U.S. cities, revealing that San Antonio is sinking at a rate of -1.099 millimeters per year. This troubling trend highlights serious environmental and socioeconomic concerns for the city’s residents.
Land Subsidence Significance
Land subsidence refers to the gradual sinking of the Earth’s surface, which can lead to infrastructure damage and increased flooding. The findings indicate that 25 out of the 28 major U.S. cities are experiencing negative vertical land motion (VLM), demonstrating that this phenomenon is not exclusive to coastal areas like Houston and New Orleans, but affects inland cities as well.
Texas Cities Affected
The study includes several Texas cities, such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and El Paso. Among these, Houston ranks as the fastest-sinking city with a rate of -5.216 millimeters per year. Fort Worth and Dallas follow San Antonio with sinking rates of -4.366 mm/year and -3.846 mm/year, respectively. Austin is sinking at -0.792 mm/year, while El Paso’s sinking rate is -0.754 mm/year.
At-Risk Infrastructure in San Antonio
According to the report, San Antonio has the highest ratio of high or very-high-risk buildings, with 10,269 structures vulnerable to the impacts of land subsidence. This translates to approximately 1 in every 45 buildings in the city being at risk. In comparison, the ratio for Austin stands at 1 in every 71 buildings, while Fort Worth has a risk ratio of 1 in every 143 buildings.
The Scope of the Issue
This report indicates that about 5.6 million buildings across the identified cities are at risk due to land subsidence. The issue is primarily attributed to groundwater extraction, which exacerbates subsidence issues in over 20% of urban land areas in the United States. In San Antonio alone, approximately 1.05 million of the city’s 1.5 million residents live in areas affected by subsidence.
Need for Urgent Action
The study underscores the urgent need for infrastructure adaptations as environmental pressures continue to mount. To mitigate the effects of subsidence, various actions are being proposed, including:
- Implementing building restrictions in high-risk areas
- Reinforcing critical infrastructure
- Establishing ongoing monitoring of subsidence levels
Background Context on Land Subsidence
Land subsidence poses long-term challenges, as damage to infrastructure may not become apparent until significant issues arise. This emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to address the ongoing risks associated with subsidence. Awareness and preparedness are crucial for cities like San Antonio to safeguard residents and infrastructure from the adverse effects of land subsidence.
As San Antonio navigates its place among the fastest-sinking cities, proactive measures will be essential to secure its future and ensure sustainable urban development amidst growing environmental challenges.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Antonio Declared Fastest-Sinking City in U.S.
Pharmaceutical Stocks Plummet After Trump’s Pricing Plans
San Antonio Faces Highest Land Subsidence Risks in U.S.
Additional Resources
- KSAT News
- Wikipedia: Land Subsidence
- KENS5 News
- Google Search: San Antonio sinking
- ABC13 News
- Google Scholar: Houston sinking
- Earth.com News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sinking Cities
- San Antonio Express-News
- Google News: San Antonio subsidence
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
