Alexandria, Egypt is facing destructive impacts from rising sea levels that have led to the collapse of hundreds of buildings over the past two decades. A study highlights a tenfold increase in collapses due to weakened soils from increased groundwater levels, calling for urgent protective measures against climate change effects and emphasizing the city’s historical significance.

The Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria is facing severe challenges due to rising sea levels, leading to the collapse of numerous buildings. Sara Fouad from the Technical University of Munich observed, “For centuries, Alexandria’s structures stood as marvels of resilient engineering, enduring earthquakes, storm surges, tsunamis, and more. But now, rising seas and intensifying storms — fueled by climate change — are undoing in decades what took millennia of human ingenuity to create.”

Fouad spearheaded a recent study that revealed a tenfold increase in annual building collapses in Alexandria over the past twenty years. Researchers investigated satellite imagery alongside historical maps to trace the retreating shoreline and assess where rising seas have infiltrated the groundwater. They also identified collapsed structures and analyzed the soil for signs of water intrusion.

The findings, published in Earth’s Future, indicated that rising water levels weaken the soil, leading to structural instability. The authors advocated for coastal measures such as constructing sand dunes and planting trees to mitigate the impact of seawater, highlighting that over 7,000 buildings are under threat.

Since 2001, the city has experienced the collapse of 290 buildings. Coauthor Essam Heggy, from the University of Southern California, asserted, “The true cost of this loss extends far beyond bricks and mortar. We are witnessing the gradual disappearance of historic coastal cities, with Alexandria sounding the alarm. What once seemed like distant climate risks are now a present reality.”

The study underscores the alarming impact of climate change on Alexandria, where rising sea levels have led to a significant increase in building collapses. Urgent measures are required to protect the city’s historical architecture and mitigate potential losses, as the continuous encroachment of seawater poses a critical threat to urban resilience.

Original Source: e360.yale.edu