Roberta Aguirre
Kansai International Airport in Osaka Bay, Japan, is sinking into the ocean. The airport, which opened in 1994, was constructed on two artificial islands in Osaka Bay. It was initially predicted to sink by around 18.7 feet within the first five years, but it actually sank by 27 feet. Since then, the airport has sunk more than 38 feet and engineers predict that it will sink another 13 feet by 2056, reaching sea level. The sinking has been attributed to various factors, including the soft soils of Osaka Bay, extreme weather conditions, and the weight of the structures built on the islands. The future of the airport is uncertain, and experts are working to address the challenges posed by the sinking infrastructure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Kansai International Airport |
| Location | Osaka Bay, Japan |
| Year of opening | 1994 |
| Cost of construction | $8 billion initially, $20 billion by 2008 |
| Predicted sinking | 18.7 ft |
| Actual sinking | 27 ft within the first 5 years, 38 ft in 30 years |
| Predicted submergence | 2056 |
| Seawall cost | $117 million |
| Runway length | 4,000 m (13,000 ft) |
| Airlines | All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Nippon Cargo Airlines |
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What You'll Learn
Kansai International Airport's construction
Kansai International Airport (KIX) is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, Japan. It is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area and the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. The airport opened on 4 September 1994 to relieve overcrowding at Osaka International Airport in Itami.
The construction of Kansai International Airport began in 1987, with the creation of two artificial islands in Osaka Bay. The project involved reclaiming land from the sea and transforming it into a dry and dense foundation that could support the weight of the airport buildings. This was done by laying sand atop the clay seabed and installing 2.2 million vertical pipes that were then filled with sand, and soil was used to create a stiffer floor. The terminal construction commenced in 1991.
The airport was built at a cost of US$15 billion, making it the most expensive civil works project in modern history at the time. The project involved twenty years of planning and three years of construction. One of the challenges faced during construction was the sinking of the island. It had been predicted that the island would sink by 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in), but by 1999, it had sunk by 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in) - almost 50% more than predicted. To compensate for the sinking, adjustable columns were designed to support the terminal building, and these can be extended by inserting thick metal plates at their bases.
Kansai International Airport has been undergoing a major renovation since 2021 to upgrade and expand its Terminal 1. The renovation includes expanding the terminal capacity, improving the passenger experience, and enhancing retail and dining options. The project is expected to be completed by late 2026.
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The airport's current state
Kansai International Airport, located in Osaka Bay, Japan, is sinking at an alarming rate. The airport, which opened in 1994, was built on two artificial islands and was initially praised for its uniqueness. However, it has now sunk more than 38 feet in just 30 years and is expected to sink another 13 feet by 2056, with some experts predicting it will be submerged by 2100.
The sinking of the airport has been attributed to several factors, including the soft soils of Osaka Bay, the weight of the buildings, and extreme weather conditions such as typhoons and earthquakes. In 2018, Typhoon Jebi caused major destruction, flooding the runways and destroying the bridge that connected the airport to the mainland.
To mitigate the sinking, engineers have implemented various measures, including raising the seawall and using adjustable columns to support the terminal buildings. However, these efforts have been described as futile, and the airport continues to sink by about 7 cm a year.
Despite the sinking, Kansai International Airport remains a crucial hub for air travel in Japan, accommodating over 20 million passengers and transporting nearly a million tonnes of cargo each year. It is praised for its impressive civil engineering and unique design, featuring the longest runway in the world. However, the airport has also faced challenges, including high operating costs and concerns about sustainability and potential hazards posed by its continued descent.
The future of Kansai International Airport is uncertain. While engineers continue to grapple with the challenge of preventing its submersion, it remains to be seen how long the airport can withstand the relentless pull of the sea.
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The impact of natural disasters
Natural disasters can have a devastating impact on infrastructure, and airports are no exception. The effects of these events can cause widespread disruption and damage, impacting not only the airport's operations but also the safety and well-being of its passengers and staff.
In the case of Kansai International Airport in Japan, the impact of natural disasters has been profound. Located in Osaka Bay, the airport is built on two artificial islands, a unique engineering feat that transformed a wet sponge of reclaimed land into a dense foundation capable of supporting airport buildings. However, this ambitious construction has faced significant challenges due to natural disasters, primarily typhoons and earthquakes.
Typhoons have been particularly destructive. In 2018, Typhoon Jebi struck western Japan, causing major destruction at Kansai Airport. The storm flooded the runways, and the resulting breach in the seawall inundated the airport building, stranding thousands of terrified passengers without power or air conditioning. The bridge connecting the airport to the mainland was also destroyed when an oil tanker crashed into it during the typhoon.
Additionally, earthquakes have shaken the airport's infrastructure. In 1995, the Great Hanshin earthquake, with its epicenter just 20 km away, claimed thousands of lives on Japan's main island of Honshu. While the airport emerged structurally unscathed due to its earthquake engineering, the potential for damage from such events is ever-present.
The cumulative impact of these natural disasters has been a contributing factor to the airport's sinking. The soft soils of Osaka Bay, upon which the artificial islands were constructed, have resulted in a higher rate of subsidence than initially predicted. Each typhoon and earthquake exerts additional forces on the airport's foundations, accelerating its descent.
The race is now on to save Kansai International Airport from its watery fate, with engineers predicting submersion by 2056. While the airport currently remains pivotal in connecting Osaka to the world, accommodating millions of travelers and a significant volume of cargo annually, its future hangs in the balance. The relentless pull of the sea may ultimately prove too strong, underscoring the immense impact of natural disasters on even the most impressive feats of human engineering.
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Attempts to prevent further sinking
Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan, is sinking into the sea. The airport was built on two artificial islands in Osaka Bay and is a major transport hub serving some of the country's biggest cities. It opened in 1994 and was expected to sink around 18 feet over a 50-year period, eventually stabilizing at 13 feet above sea level. However, the rate of sinking has been much faster than predicted, with the airport already sinking more than 38 feet as of 2024.
The following measures have been taken to prevent further sinking and slow down the rate of subsidence:
- During construction, workers paused at several stages to allow new layers of soil to consolidate and sink before adding more soil.
- Adjustable columns were designed to support the terminal building, and these can be extended by inserting thick metal plates at their bases.
- To minimize cracks or buckles caused by uneven sinking, runways were paved with asphalt rather than concrete.
- A seawall was constructed before the artificial islands were built to protect them from the sea. The height of this seawall has been raised at a cost of around £117 million ($148-150 million), but some consider this a futile attempt to prevent the inevitable.
- To keep the buildings from sinking, workers hollowed out the area underneath the passenger terminals, inserted iron plates beneath the hydraulic jacks, and raised the columns in stages.
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The airport's future
Kansai International Airport in Osaka Bay, Japan, is sinking into the sea. The airport, built on two artificial islands, was touted as a unique airport when it opened in 1994. However, it has since sunk more than 38 feet and is expected to sink further. Engineers predict that by 2056, sections of the islands may sink another 13 feet, reaching sea level.
The future of Kansai Airport is uncertain. While it is currently a crucial hub for air travel in Japan, accommodating over 20 million passengers and transporting nearly a million tons of cargo each year, its long-term sustainability is in question. The airport has already been impacted by extreme weather conditions, including typhoons and flooding, which have caused temporary closures and stranded thousands of passengers.
To mitigate the sinking, engineers have implemented various measures, including raising the seawall and using adjustable columns to support the terminal buildings. However, these solutions may only be temporary, and the airport is expected to continue settling, albeit at a slower rate.
The airport's operators will need to continually monitor the rate of sinking and take proactive measures to ensure the safety and functionality of the airport. This may include further modifications to the infrastructure and regular maintenance to address any issues that arise.
Despite the challenges, Kansai Airport remains a pivotal gateway to Osaka and the Kansai region of Japan. Its convenient location and capacity make it an important hub for airlines and travellers alike. As such, there is a strong incentive to ensure the airport's longevity and resilience in the face of its sinking foundations.
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Frequently asked questions
Kansai International Airport, located in Osaka Bay, is sinking into the sea.
Kansai International Airport was built on two artificial islands in Osaka Bay. The soft soils of Osaka Bay, upon which the airport was constructed, are causing the airport to sink.
Engineers predicted that Kansai's islands would evenly settle over 50 years before stabilizing at 13 feet above sea level. To prevent flooding, a massive amount of money (up to £117 million) was spent to raise the seawall. However, some engineers predict that the airport will sink to sea level by 2056.
