Hydrologic Innovation & Remote Sensing @VT

*** Policy Implication of Research *** Recently, Nithesh (@nitheshnirmal), one of our PhD students, published a groundbreaking paper on #sinking #Indian #megacities in @naturesustainab . Citing this study, #NationalGreenTribunal—India’s quasi-judicial authority responsible for enforcing environmental laws—has issued a #nationwide directive to develop #LandSubsidence hazard maps for major Indian cities. I am pleased to see how quickly this research has been translated into policy. Well-done Nithesh! @HIRSlab @vtgeosciences @EOI_lab News Article: dtnext.in/news/chennai/n… Research Article: nature.com/articles/s4189…

India’s major cities are sinking — and infrastructure is at risk. A Nature Communications study by UNU-INWEH’s Manoochehr Shirzaei & colleagues identifies where building damage is most likely to occur. 🔗 nature.com/articles/s4189…

*** Media Coverage *** here is an excellent report on our recent paper on #indian #megacities #subsidence led by PHD student Nithesh (@nitheshnirmal ) published in @Nature Sustainability. The report not only discusses the problem but also mentions some of the possible solutions, mainly, #Managed #Aquifer #Recharge. @HIRSlab @vtgeosciences @UNUINWEH youtu.be/w7aNUKnjtLg?si…

The study was led by @Khorrami93 , postdoc at Virginia Tech, and co-authors are myself, Sonia Zehsaz and @shirzaei. Thanks to @vtgeosciences @VT_Science.

New results: the 2020–2022 drought led to ~3 km³/yr water loss at Lake Mead, incl. groundwater. Remote sensing data show up to 8 mm/yr uplift as the crust rebounds. Drought impacts reach far below the surface. doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh… #Drought #Groundwater #InSAR #WaterManagement

Using satellite radar data (InSAR), new research by UNUINWEH scientist & colleagues identifies land subsidence hotspots across five Indian cities — linked to groundwater overexploitation. Findings highlight the need for sustainable groundwater management. unu.edu/inweh/news/gro…

Congratulations to Susanna Werth (@HIRSLab) and Manoochehr Shirzaei (@shirzaei) on this important work on cities sinking in India. @vtgeosciences @VT_Science news.vt.edu/content/news_v…

Groundwater decline is making India’s cities sink. A new study by UNU-INWEH scientist & and colleagues finds that over 2,400 buildings in New Delhi, Mumbai & Chennai face high damage risk — rising to 23,000+ across five megacities if trends continue. 🔗unu.edu/inweh/news/gro…

Sinking land is quietly destabilizing urban infrastructure in India’s largest cities, putting thousands of buildings and millions of people at risk, according to #VirginiaTech scientists. news.vt.edu/articles/2025/…

Imagine your city slowly sinking. In India’s megacities, 80M+ people face this reality. New satellite radar research by @nitheshnirmal reveals where the ground is shifting unevenly. 🌍🏠 #LandSubsidence #GroundwaterUse nature.com/articles/s4189… @shirzaei @vtgeosciences @VT_Science

Welcome Sushrita to the HIRS lab, where she started his PhD studies this semester at the Dept. of Geosciences at Virginia Tech. Her focus will be terrestrial water storage changes in cold regions. #GRACE #DynamicPlanet #science @vtgeosciences

Please join me to welcome Ola to the HIRS & EOI labs. He started his PhD studies this semester at the Dept. of Geosc. at Virginia Tech & will be investigating land subsidence in Virginia's near-coastal areas. #InSAR #DynamicPlanet #science @vtgeosciences @shirzaei

Congratulations, Prof. Sonam Futi Sherpa, for this excellent and important work on the influence of changes in precipitation dynamics in the Himalaya on glacier melting! It was a pleasure working together on this. #GRACEFO #GRACEsatellite

**** NEW PAPER ALERT **** Just published in @Nature Cities, led by Dr. Ohenhen (@Leonardgeol) and in collaboration with two generations of researchers from @EOI_lab and @HIRSlab of @VT_Science, we map #sinkingland at 28 major #US cities. The results are eye-opening and concerning, but there is time to act! Congratulations, Leonard and team! @UNUINWEH @vtgeosciences link: nature.com/articles/s4428…

*** Congratulations*** Please join me in congratulating Dr. Mohammad Khorrami (@Khorrami93) on successfully passing his thesis defense! This is a tremendous achievement, and we are all proud of his hard work and dedication. @EOI_lab @HIRSlab @UNUINWEH @vtgeosciences

We are about to start @AMNH We have a full house but there is room upstairs! Link: bit.ly/3F9GBtK

The HIRS and EOI labs got DoD funding to study vertical land motions in Alaska. We will investigate their interactions with the water cycle in permafrost regions. Read the story at VT News: news.vt.edu/articles/2025/… @shirzaei @EOI_lab @vtgeosciences

Here is the official citation! Very well deserved, Florence! @EOI_lab @HIRSlab @vtgeosciences @VT_Science Link: agu.org/user-profile?c…

Here is an excellent coverage of our recent publication by @UNUINWEH . @vtgeosciences @vtnews @VT_Science @EOI_lab @HIRSlab

Urgent Weather Advisory: All Blacksburg campus in-person classes and activities canceled Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. More info at vt.edu/status