Coastal Subsidence in Cape Canaveral, FL, and Surrounding Areas: Shallow Subsidence Induced by Natural and Anthropogenic Processes

Anurag Sharma (), Shimon Wdowinski and Randall W. Parkinson
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Anurag Sharma: Institute of Environment, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Shimon Wdowinski: Institute of Environment, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Randall W. Parkinson: Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Cape Canaveral, home to critical space exploration infrastructure, is facing potential flooding hazards from land subsidence and sea-level rise. This study utilized three geodetic datasets, the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and precise leveling, to investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of vertical land motion (VLM) in Cape Canaveral and its surrounding areas. Our analysis revealed that Cape Canaveral experiences both long-term regional subsidence and localized subsiding areas, while Merritt Island and the Peninsular Mainland remain relatively stable. The long-term regional subsidence in Cape Canaveral is likely driven by the compaction of younger, unconsolidated siliciclastic sediments, with a small contribution from glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA). The three localized subsiding areas identified in Cape Canaveral are each driven by distinct mechanisms: wetland modification in the western area, runway infrastructure development in the central area, and the natural compaction of young siliciclastic sediments in the southeastern region. Historical leveling data indicated temporal variations in subsidence rates at Cape Canaveral, from 5 mm/yr during the 1950–70s to 2 mm/yr in the 2000s. These findings have significant implications for infrastructure resilience and flood hazard assessment, as the observed subsidence compounds with the projected accelerated sea-level rise in the region. Our results highlight the importance of integrating long-term datasets to better characterize VLM in the dynamic coastal region for effective planning and risk mitigation.

Keywords: vertical land motion; cape Canaveral; InSAR; GNSS; precise leveling; glacial isostatic adjustment; sediment compaction; land-use changes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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