San Francisco’s sinking tower seen from space
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FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2016 file photo, is the Millennium Tower in San Francisco. Engineers in San Francisco have tunneled underground to try and understand the sinking of the 58-story Millennium Tower. Now comes an analysis from space. The European Space Agency has satellite imagery it says confirms the skyscraper, which has sunk 16 inches, is steadily sinking at a rate of almost 2 inches a year. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
SAN FRANCISCO – The European Space Agency has released satellite data that shows the 58-story Millennium Tower in San Francisco’s is continuing to sink at a steady rate — and perhaps faster than previously known.
Scientist Petar Marinkovic who analyzed the data for the ESA said Monday it shows the Millennium Tower sunk 40 to 45 millimeters — or 1.6 to 1.8 inches — over a recent one-year period.
It sunk almost double that amount — 70 to 75 mm (2.6 to 2.9 inches) — over its 17-month observation period ending in September, he says.
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The luxury high-rise has sunk about 16 inches and is also tilting. Engineers have estimated the building is still sinking at a rate of about 1-inch per year.