Shanghai Ground Cracking Under the Weight of Its Skyscrapers

Lujiazui is falling down, falling down.  The price to pay for having one of the world’s most iconic skylines, Shanghai’s Lujiazui is suffering from an increasing number of mini “fault lines” radiating outwards in every direction.

Pictured below is one netizen’s documentation of the phenomenon, particularly near Shanghai’s most iconic buildings: the World Financial Center and the Jin Mao Tower. As progress continues on China’s future tallest skyscraper, the Shanghai Tower (situated directly across the street from the current cracks), one can only hope the entire area doesn’t end up collapsing in on itself.

Since 2003, Shanghai has been sinking under the weight of tons of concrete and steel at a rate of about 1.5 centimeters per year, prompting city officials to limit the construction of some skyscrapers. Over the past century, it has sunk over 2 meters.

Source: Sina Weibo