Page 12 - BBC Focus Earth From Above - 2017 UK

IT A L Y

Sinking city

The red roofs of Venice stand out against the
azure lagoon waters. Using satellite data,
scientists have been able to measure the
speed at which the city is sinking – about
1mm every year. The situation is made worse
by construction, waves from boats and cruise
ships eating into building foundations, and
the fact that the surrounding North Adriatic
Sea is also rising around 1mm per year due
to climate change. To protect against flooding
a barrier is being built, consisting of 80 huge
steel flaps that lie on the lagoon bed.
PHOTO: GETTY/DIGITAL GLOBE