Is Venice Sinking?

Yuri Kim
WRITTEN BY
Yuri Kim

Is Venice sinking?

Yes, Venice is sinking due to natural processes and human activities. This historic city faces severe flooding and is exposed to rising sea levels caused by climate change.

Why is Venice sinking?

Venice is sinking due to groundwater extraction, soil compression from heavy buildings, rising sea levels, natural tectonic plate movement, and frequent flooding from acqua alta high tides in the Venetian lagoon.

Groundwater Extraction

Groundwater extraction is the process of pumping water from underground water reservoirs (aquifers) for human use. When the water was removed, it left empty spaces underground, and the weight of Venice’s buildings compressed the soil into the empty space.

Even though Venice stopped pumping groundwater in the 1970s, the damage was done.

Soil Compression

Venice is a natural marsh with wet, soft, muddy soil. To build on soft ground, Venetian engineers drove wooden poles deep into the earth to serve as foundations. Heavy stone buildings sit on top of these wooden piles.

Over centuries, the weight of these buildings has been pressing down on the marshy soil, compacting it. This compression is still happening, with buildings slowly sinking over time.

Aerial view of the old town island of Venice and its surrounding lagoons. Canal Grande in the center of the photo.

Aerial view of the old town island of Venice and its surrounding lagoons. Canal Grande in the center of the photo.

Aerial view of the old town island of Venice and its surrounding lagoons. Canal Grande in the center of the photo.

Rising Sea Levels

Global sea level rise due to climate change has made Venice increasingly vulnerable. A higher average sea level amplifies the effects of groundwater extraction and soil compression

Today, the Adriatic Sea’s tides now regularly flood the city’s low-lying areas.

>>Worried About The Floods? Join Us On a Northern Italy Adventure Instead! 

Natural Tectonic Plate Movement

Although Venetians have known about their city’s foundations since the fifth century, they were unaware until recently that Venice sits on a tilting, sinking tectonic plate

This geological activity of the tectonic plate is uneven: the east side of Venice is sinking faster, and the west side is sinking more slowly.

Frequent Flooding from Acqua Alta

The city experiences seasonal high tides that exacerbate Venice’s sinking by eroding the building foundations. These floods, known as acqua alta, have become more frequent in recent years.

San Marco Venice, Italy during Acqua Alta

San Marco Venice, Italy during Acqua Alta

Can Venice’s historic buildings be saved from flood damage?

Efforts to protect Venice and its historical buildings from flood damage include the MOSE Project, restoring wetlands, raising infrastructure, enhancing drainage, diverting cruise ships, employing flood-resilient design, using advanced monitoring systems and increasing public awareness.

MOSE Project

The MOSE Project is a system of underwater gates to block rising seawater from entering the lagoon during high tides designed to offer crucial flood protection and save Venice from relative sea level rise.

View from the open sea of the MOSE structure during the lifting test, which took place on 31 May 2020 at the Malamocco Harbour Mouth (near the location called “Alberoni”).

View from the open sea of the MOSE structure during the lifting test, which took place on 31 May 2020 at the Malamocco Harbour Mouth (near the location called “Alberoni”).

Restoring Wetlands

Efforts to restore the natural wetland environment will help to absorb storm surges. Wetlands act as a natural barrier, mitigating the impact of rising water.

Raising Infrastructure

Key areas of Venice, Italy’s “floating city,” including St. Mark’s Square, the city’s lowest point, are being elevated to withstand floods. This involves elevating or reconstructing parts of the city to higher levels.

Enhancing Drainage

Engineers are installing citywide drainage systems to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas. These systems aim to manage both rainfall and rising lagoon water levels more effectively.

Diverting Cruise Ships

Large cruise ships are being rerouted to reduce the waves and sediment displacement they cause in the Venice Lagoon. This prevents further erosion of Venice’s historic buildings foundations.

Although the cruise ships are being rerouted, you can still visit Italy in other ways. How about exploring the Tuscan Trails and Roman Wonders?

Cruise ship towering over Ca' Giovanni Caboto, Venice

Cruise ship towering over Ca’ Giovanni Caboto, Venice

Flood-Resilient Design

Venice is adopting flood-resilient designs, including permeable pavements and waterproof materials, to protect frequently flooded areas.

Advanced Monitoring Technology

Sensors and monitoring technologies track the water levels and structural integrity of Venice’s buildings. These systems provide data to guide flood prevention and emergency response.

Increasing Public Awareness

Mobile alert systems help residents and visitors prepare for flooding. You might see elevated wooden walkways laid out when the city floods on teen travel to Venice, but locals prefer to don knee-high rubber boots and navigate the streets.

Is Venice Flooding a New Phenomenon?

No. Venice flooding is not a new phenomenon. Venice has experienced flooding since its founding because of its location in a shallow lagoon vulnerable to high tide and storm surge.

There is documented evidence of Venice floods dating back to at least the 8th century.

View of the November floods of 1966. In front of the picture a woman showed how deep the water was. In the background there is a Venetian palace.

View of the November floods of 1966. In front of the picture a woman showed how deep the water was. In the background there is a Venetian palace.

What is the Grand Canal in Venice?

The Grand Canal is Venice’s largest and most significant waterway, covering 2.4 miles (3.8 km) through the city’s center. It is a major transportation line, lined with over 170 historic buildings, palaces, churches, and museums.

About the Author
Yuri Kim
Associate

I’m Yuri Kim, a marketing professional with a strong foundation in digital strategy and campaign management. I have a passion for developing innovative marketing initiatives that drive growth and customer engagement. With experience in optimizing digital channels and a keen focus on analytics, I excel at transforming data insights into actionable strategies. My goal is to create impactful marketing campaigns that deliver results and foster brand loyalty.