College of Science researchers are leading international efforts to understand, quantify, and mitigate risks posed by extreme weather and shifting land in a changing climate.

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    This image shows cars unable to navigate very flooded roads.
    Flood risk increasing in Pacific Northwest , article

    A powerful earthquake combined with rising sea levels could significantly increase flood risks in the Pacific Northwest, impacting thousands of residents and properties in northern California, Oregon, and Washington, according to new Virginia Tech research.

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    Reflection of Downtown Houston skyscrapers on a pond of overflow water.
    Major U.S. cities are sinking , article

    An analysis of 28 major U.S. cities revealed that all 28 are sinking, potentially affecting 34 million people, according to Virginia Tech research published in Nature Cities.

Two heat maps of sinking cities: Houston and
Houston, Texas, (at left) is the nation’s fastest-sinking city, with areas subsiding more than 20 millimeters a year. Much of New York City (at right) is slowly sinking, with hot spots around La Guardia Airport. Warmer colors signify greater sinkage. Graphics courtesy of Jeremy Hinsdale based on Ohenhen et al., Nature Cities 2025.

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