Many of China's cities are sinking, posing significant risks, including infrastructure damage and increased vulnerability to natural disasters; the safety and livelihoods of millions are at stake.
To view the interactive story 中國正在經歷土地沉降危機 ("China Is Experiencing a Land Subsidence Crisis"), please click here. An English translation is available as a PDF below:
Summary
China is facing a widespread land subsidence crisis, impacting nearly half of its major cities due to extensive groundwater extraction and geological changes. A recent national-scale study highlights that cities such as Tianjin, Beijing, and coastal areas like Shanghai are among the most affected. Tianjin has the highest subsidence rate, with over 89% of its area sinking by more than 3mm annually, causing structural damage to buildings and infrastructure. The combination of industrial growth, water shortages, and rapid urbanization exacerbates this issue, especially in North and coastal China, where the added threat of rising sea levels increases the risk of flooding. While cities like Shanghai have implemented groundwater control measures with some success, others, including Tianjin, continue to struggle with managing subsidence and its escalating social and economic impacts.
This interactive data story was produced with support fromInternews' Earth Journalism Network for the "Ground Truths" special project. The original story in Chinese can be found at Initium here.
Editor: Fu Yuxin Writers: Fu Yuxin, Yang Ya Design: Guo Jinye Illustration: Rosa Lee Engineering: Jack
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