Rising sea levels pose a threat to the future of coastal cities around the world, but another major concern is the sinking of the cities themselves. Known as "Relative Local Land Subsidence" (RLLS), this phenomenon occurs when underground materials compact or collapse, causing the surface above to sink. This subsidence can exacerbate the effects of rising sea levels, which are currently averaging 3.7 mm/year, making it a crucial metric to track for coastal communities. Using research that monitored changes in land subsidence in 48 high-population coastal cities located within 50 kilometers of the coastline between 2014 and 2020, Planet Anomaly mapped the fastest-sinking coastal cities across the globe. Key Findings: Out of the 44 sinking coastal cities observed to be sinking faster than sea levels were rising, 30 are located in Asia. Tianjin, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, lead the list of the fastest-sinking coastal cities overall, experiencing peak Relative Local
Hippos, scientifically known as Hippopotamus amphibius , are fascinating creatures that inhabit the rivers, lakes, and swamps of sub-Saharan Africa. These semi-aquatic mammals are renowned for their hefty build, with adult males typically weighing between 1,500 to 3,200 kilograms (3,300 to 7,100 pounds) and measuring up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) in length, while females are slightly smaller. Despite their imposing size, hippos are surprisingly agile both in water and on land. These animals boast a unique adaptation: their eyes, ears, and nostrils are located high on their heads, allowing them to remain mostly submerged while still able to see, hear, and breathe. Hippos are predominantly herbivorous, feeding on grasses and aquatic plants during the night, when they venture onto land in search of food. Their thick, barrel-shaped bodies are well-suited to their aquatic lifestyle, allowing them to spend most of their days submerged in water to regulate their body temperature and avoid the