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The Indonesian capital of Jakarta is home to more than 10 million people. But it’s also one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world.
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Introduction
Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world. If current rates of subsidence continue, large parts of the city will be submerged by 2050.
Jakarta is built on a swampy plain that is slowly sinking. The city has been sinking since it was founded in the 16th century, but the rate of subsidence has accelerated in recent years due to a number of factors, including:
-The extraction of groundwater for domestic and industrial use.
-The reclamation of land for agriculture, industry, and settlement.
-The dumping of waste and construction debris into the sea.
-The consolidatio
The Problem
Jakarta, Indonesia is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world. If something isn’t done to stop the city from sinking, it could be completely submerged by 2050. What is causing this problem and what can be done to prevent it?
The Causes
The causes of Jakarta’s sinking are numerous and complex. They include natural causes, such as the gradual compression of the sedimentary layers that make up the city’s geology, and human-caused factors, such as the over-exploitation of groundwater resources.
natural causes:
-the gradual compression of the sedimentary layers that make up the city’s geology
human-caused factors:
-the over-exploitation of groundwater resources
Climate Change
Climate change is one of the primary drivers of sea level rise. As the Earth’s temperature rises, so does the ocean’s temperature. This causes ice caps and glaciers to melt, adding to the volume of water in the oceans. Additionally, as the ocean warms, it expands. This also adds to the rise in sea level.
A 2017 study found that if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, sea levels could rise by as much as 2 meters (6.6 feet) by 2100. Such a rise would have catastrophic consequences for coastal cities around the world.
In addition to climate change, there are other factors that contribute to sea level rise. These include natural cycles in Earth’s climate, changes in land use (such as deforestation), and groundwater extraction.
Population Growth
The population of Jakarta, Indonesia has been growing rapidly in recent years, with many people moving to the city in search of work and opportunity. This population growth, coupled with the city’s location on the coast, has led to concerns that Jakarta may soon be overwhelmed by rising sea levels.
A study by scientists from the University of Bristol, published in the journal Nature Communications, has found that the ground on which Jakarta is built is sinking at an alarming rate. The study estimates that the ground is sinking by up to 2 cm per year, and that this rate is accelerating. If this trend continues, it is likely that parts of Jakarta will be flooded by 2050.
The cause of the ground sinking is largely due to the way in which water is extracted from the ground for use in industry and agriculture. This process, known as ‘groundwater pumping’, can cause the ground to sink (or ‘subside’) as water is removed from underneath it.
The problem of subsidence is compounded by the fact that Jakarta is built on soft sedimentary soils which are particularly vulnerable to sinking. sea level rise due to climate change will also add to the problem, as even small increases in sea level can result in significant flooding when combined with subsidence.
The Bristol team’s research shows that subsidence is already having a major impact on Jakarta, with many buildings and infrastructure being damaged or destroyed each year. The situation is likely to worsen in coming years unless action is taken to reduce groundwater pumping and improve drainage.
The Consequences
If sea levels continue to rise at the current rate, Jakarta could be completely submerged by 2050. The city is already facing severe flooding during the rainy season, and a large portion of the city is already below sea level. If the city is submerged, it would displace millions of people and have a devastating impact on the Indonesian economy.
Economic
Jakarta is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world. If something isn’t done to stop the sinking, parts of the city could be submerged by 2050.
The problem is largely due to uncontrolled ground water extraction. When water is removed from the ground, it causes the soil to compact and ultimately sink. In Jakarta, this problem is compounded by the fact that much of the city is built on swampy land. To make matters worse, climate change is causing sea levels to rise, which means that even if the city manages to stop sinking, it will still be at risk of flooding.
The economic impact of this problem could be devastating. If large parts of Jakarta are submerged, it would displace millions of people and cause billions of dollars in damage. The city’s already struggling economy would be dealt a crippling blow, and it could take years to recover.
Jakarta’s sinking problem is a daunting one, but it’s not insurmountable. With some creative thinking and a commitment to solving the problem, there’s a chance that the city can be saved.
Environmental
Jakarta is the fastest-sinking city in the world. If current rates of subsidence are not halted, large parts of the megacity will be uninhabitable by 2050, according to a new study.
The report, published in the journal Nature Communications, says that since 1990, Jakarta has been sinking at an accelerated rate of 50cm a year. In total, it has sunk more than 2.5m. At its current pace, almost a third of north Jakarta will be submerged by 2050.
Jakarta is not alone. A majority of coastal megacities are sinking because of rapid urbanisation and the over extraction of groundwater. But the Indonesian capital is particularly vulnerable because it is built on soft clay and sand – and because it is home to 10 million people living in low-lying areas less than 3m above mean sea level.
Social
The problem of Jakarta sinking into the sea is not only an environmental issue, but also a social one. As the city sinks, it becomes more and more difficult for people to live there. This can lead to poverty and crime, as well as a general deterioration of the quality of life. In addition, the problem can also cause political instability, as people become displaced and governments struggle to cope with the crisis.
The Solution
Jakarta is one of the most populous cities in the world, and it’s sinking. The city is home to more than 10 million people, and it’s located on the coast of Indonesia. The city is sinking because of a combination of things, including rising sea levels, the weight of the buildings, and the softness of the ground.
The Government
The government has been working on a number of solutions to try to stop Jakarta from sinking further into the sea. One of the main solutions is to build a giant seawall around the city. The wall will be made of concrete and steel and will extend for almost 5 kilometres around the coast of Jakarta. It is hoped that this will protect the city from the waves and stop it from sinking any further.
Another solution that has been proposed is to build a series of canals and dams which would redirect the water flow around Jakarta and stop the city from sinking. This is a huge engineering project and would be very expensive, but it could work in the long term.
The government is also working on a plan to try to stop people from building on flood-prone areas, as this makes the problem worse. They are also trying to improve drainage in Jakarta so that water can flow away more easily.
The People
The people of Jakarta are used to floods. But in the past few years, the floods have been getting worse. The water is rising faster and lasting longer. And it’s not just the rain. The groundwater is rising, too.
Some experts say that the city is sinking because of all the groundwater that’s being pumped out. Others say it’s because of climate change. But whatever the cause, the effects are clear: Jakarta is slowly sinking into the sea.
The Indonesian government has done some things to try to stop the city from sinking. They’ve banned new buildings from being built on flood-prone land. And they’re working on a giant seawall that will protect the city from rising waters.
But for many people in Jakarta, it’s too late. Their homes are already flooding. And they’re having to find new ways to live with this constant threat of disaster.
Conclusion
Jakarta, Indonesia, is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world. If current trends continue, large parts of the megacity could be underwater by 2050, according to a new study.
Jakarta is sinking because of a combination of natural factors and human activity. The natural sinking is due to the city’s location on soft sediment that’s slowly compacting. And the human activity? That would be all the groundwater that’s being pumped out of the ground to supply the city with water. This pumping causes the sediment to compact even further and speeds up the sinking process.
sea level rise due to climate change will make matters worse. The study estimates that by 2050, annual flooding could affect two-thirds of Jakarta’s land area. And by 2100, 97% could be flooded each year.
Jakarta isn’t the only city at risk from flooding due to sea level rise and land subsidence. Other coastal cities like Miami, New Orleans, and Tokyo are also facing similar threats in the coming decades.
