Venice continues to sink in a relatively slow pace of about 2 millimeters a year, shows new measurements by satellite.
The famous City of Water, located in northeastern Italy, sank considerably in the last century due to water extraction of groundwater. Today, Venice is subject to regular flooding, and the phenomenon hinders movement of citizens. However, there is a plan outlining the problem to be solved by 2014 by creating dams, and the latest information from satellites should help officials to improve the plan to protect the city, say experts from the Institute of Oceanography in California.
The team that worked on the project of monitoring the water level in Venice has used a combination of GPS and satellite information played to map and demonstrate how the city is affected by water. GPS receivers have provided very accurate measurements, which were used to restore changes made over time.
Analysis inidicat that, in 2000, the city is sinking an average of 1-2 mm per year, while other portions of the lagoon is deep with 3-4 mm annually.
Nobody really knows who will be diving tendency of Venice in the future, but if the sea level will continue to grow at the same rate as now, it is possible that in the next 20 years, the city will come to dive with 80 mm The average height of water in the lagoon. However, there is hope. The new dam would be able to prevent this process.
In the long run, but scientists say that Venice will always have problems. A series of geological push the city under the Apennines. Although sinking caused by water extraction is not a problem for Venice, sediment compaction will continue to threaten the city.
“Venice is always in motion. Annual rate dipping was reduced, but the tectonic is the natural component, regardless of our actions will continue to deepen Venice,” said Yehuda Bock, who led the study.
Source: BBC
