SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. — A new study has revealed that nearly three dozen high-rise condos and luxury hotels along South Florida's beaches are sinking or settling. The study, conducted by scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, surveyed 35 buildings across a 12-mile stretch from Miami Beach to Sunny Isles Beach. The buildings have sunk or settled by 0.8 to 3.1 inches (2 to 8 cm), with about half of them being less than 10 years old.

“The discovery of the extent of subsidence hotspots along the South Florida coastline was unexpected,” said Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani, the lead author of the study. “The study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long-term implications for these structures.”

While it's common for buildings to settle slightly during construction, the scientists were surprised that some changes occurred years after the buildings were completed. The issue is likely due to the shifting limestone and sand layers beneath the structures, with vibrations from construction and tidal flows contributing to the settling. Some buildings, especially those in Sunny Isles Beach, were particularly affected, with preliminary data indicating sinking might extend to areas further north, including Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The study area also included Surfside, the location of the tragic Champlain Towers South collapse in June 2021, which killed 98 people. Although that collapse was linked to poor maintenance and design flaws, it emphasized the need for careful monitoring of building stability, particularly in coastal regions with corrosive conditions.

The scientists also plan to investigate whether certain sections of the buildings are sinking at different rates, which could cause structural issues such as cracks or utility failures, leading to long-term damage.