Virginia Tech Earth Observation and Innovation Lab

Built World

As of September 2026: Producer of the satellite-based subsidence maps

The ground under America's coasts is moving downward faster than scientists had mapped. New research analyzing more than 190 million data points finds that 71.5% of U.S. coastal areas are sinking at least 1 millimeter per year, with the Gulf Coast sinking fastest. Nearly a quarter of the coastline drops 3 millimeters or more annually.

Updated Sep 27