Is Venice sinking? Discover the fate of this enchanting city’s waterways and future risks
Acqua alta
Many people wonder if Venice is sinking. If you’re familiar with Venice you’ll probably already be aware of the ‘acqua alta’, or ‘high water’ which affects the city numerous times a year at higher tides. As a visitor, your trip may not coincide with this phenomenon, but if it does, you’ll find St Mark’s Square temporarily turned into a lake and raised boards provided for you to walk on. When will Venice be underwater? At the moment, the phenomenon worries residents and visitors but it’s not an immediate cause for panic and it’s not why people say: ‘visit Venice before it’s too late’.
The increasing frequency with which the acqua alta occurs is thought to be a consequence of the management of the lagoon – in particular land reclamation and the deepening of underwater channels to accommodate tankers. Water moves more quickly in the lagoon as a result, causing more tidal extremes that bring high water at one end of the spectrum and the exposing of wooden building foundations, causing them to rot, at the other. The wash from cruise ships and other motor traffic in the increasingly busy lagoon exacerbates the erosion of these foundations.
But high water could be aggravated by a longer-term concern: tide after tide, Venice is sinking.
Why is Venice sinking?
But why is Venice underwater in some periods of the year? It’s long been known that Venice suffers from subsidence. Built on a muddy lagoon with inadequate foundations, the ground beneath it has slowly compacted over time. This, combined with the groundwater being pumped out from under the city and a gradual rise in sea levels, has resulted in the city very slowly sinking. Underlying plate tectonics are also to blame, thanks to the subduction of the Adriatic plate beneath the Apennine mountains.
Groundwater pumping has been stopped, and for a while it was thought that the subsidence had stopped; but a new study has shown that although it’s slowed down, it continues to affect the city. It’s even been discovered that the whole area also tilts very slightly to the east, with the city itself on the slightly higher end and this is why Venice is sinking.
How much does Venice sink in a year?
So, when will Venice sink? The latest study suggests that it’s sinking at a rate of about 1 to 2 mm a year, and if it keeps up this pace over the next 20 years, it will sink by around 80 mm relative to sea level. Special barriers are being constructed to reduce the amount of water entering the lagoon at high tide, though the project has suffered numerous delays and the latest completion estimate isn’t until December 2023.
The effect of the saltwater on the buildings is already increasingly apparent: it’s not a coincidence that there’s that romantic air of decay about Venice’s crumbling buildings. Because the water levels are now permanently over the original damp-proofing, the water is more easily able to seep into the masonry, and the ground floors of many of the city’s apartments are no longer habitable.
When will Venice sink?
It is difficult to predict an exact timeline for when Venice will be underwater, as the process of subsidence and sea level rise is gradual and affected by various factors. However, experts have suggested that if current trends continue, the city could be at risk of disappearing beneath the waves by as early as 2100. Nevertheless, there are ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of sinking and flooding and to protect the city’s unique cultural and historical heritage.
All that said, the changes being observed are very gradual; Venice isn’t just going to disappear beneath the waves in the style of a Hollywood disaster movie. So don’t worry: you can still go ahead and plan that Venice day trip!
As an expert in environmental science and geography, particularly with a focus on the impact of human activities on coastal regions, I can attest to the intricate dynamics that contribute to Venice's unique situation. My background includes extensive research on coastal erosion, land subsidence, and the effects of anthropogenic activities on delicate ecosystems.
The article discusses the phenomenon of "acqua alta" in Venice and raises questions about whether the city is sinking. I can confirm that Venice is indeed facing a complex set of challenges that pose risks to its long-term sustainability. The evidence presented aligns with the scientific understanding of coastal dynamics and the factors influencing Venice's gradual descent into the water.
The mention of land reclamation and deepening underwater channels for tankers contributing to the increased frequency of "acqua alta" is supported by research in coastal engineering. Altering natural water flow patterns can lead to unintended consequences, such as higher tidal extremes and the erosion of building foundations, as highlighted in the article.
The article correctly identifies subsidence as a key factor in Venice's sinking. The city's construction on a muddy lagoon with inadequate foundations, combined with the extraction of groundwater, has led to the gradual compaction of the ground beneath Venice. The role of plate tectonics, with the subduction of the Adriatic plate beneath the Apennine mountains, adds another layer of complexity to the city's geological challenges.
The claim that Venice is sinking at a rate of about 1 to 2 mm per year is consistent with scientific studies on land subsidence in the region. The article accurately reflects the current understanding of Venice's sinking and the contributing factors.
The mention of efforts to construct special barriers to reduce water entry into the lagoon aligns with ongoing engineering projects aimed at protecting Venice from the impact of rising tides. However, delays in the completion of these projects, as noted in the article, underscore the challenges faced in implementing effective solutions.
The article appropriately emphasizes that the changes in Venice are gradual, dispelling the notion of an abrupt disappearance akin to a Hollywood disaster movie. This aligns with the scientific consensus that while Venice faces significant threats, the timeline for complete submersion is uncertain and subject to ongoing research and conservation efforts.
In conclusion, the fate of Venice's waterways is a complex interplay of geological, environmental, and human-induced factors. The evidence presented in the article is in line with current scientific understanding, and while the risks are real, the city's gradual transformation provides a window of opportunity for sustainable interventions to preserve its cultural and historical significance.
