The land below many U.S. cities is sinking, including New Orleans, New York City, Miami and south San Francisco.
This phenomenon, known as land subsidence, can severely affect the integrity of buildings and infrastructure.
Problems associated with land subsidence can cost U.S. homeowners 6% of their home value.
Their research focused on the Central Valley of California, but Nemati said the findings could be extrapolated nationwide.
Consumers are likely to see the effect of land subsidence directly, in the form of problems with their home, and indirectly, in the form of issues for their local economy.
Persons:
Mehdi Nemati, Nemati
Organizations:
University of California, Finance
Locations:
U.S, New Orleans , New York City, Miami, San Francisco, Riverside, Valley of California