M
iami's luxury barrier islands are home to numerous high-rise buildings, but a recent study found that about three dozen of them are sinking. The research, conducted by a team from several universities, analyzed data on 35 luxury condos and hotels in Florida's Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, Miami Beach, and Bal Harbour.

    The study revealed that these structures have sunk between 2-8 centimeters over the past seven years, with most of them built after 2014. According to the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, high-rises typically experience some settlement during construction, but in this case, subsidence has continued at a steady rate for an extended period.

    The researchers attributed the sinking primarily to changes in sand grain density within sandy layers interbedded with limestone. They also hypothesized that construction-related vibrations or groundwater flow may have contributed to the phenomenon, as well as daily tidal flow and stormwater injection.

    Lead author Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani noted that the discovery of subsidence hotspots along the South Florida coastline was unexpected, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long-term implications. The study underscores the importance of addressing this issue to ensure the stability of these structures, which are crucial to Miami's tourism industry.

    Miami-Dade County has a population of nearly 2.7 million people, with over 27.2 million visitors last year, making it one of the most populous and visited areas in the country.