Extreme Heat Is Making London Homes Sink. Here's Why

London residents have reported cracks appearing across walls, doors getting stuck and windows becoming warped after a summer of extreme heat and dry weather.The unusual changes are linked to a growing problem known as subsidence, where the ground beneath buildings shifts or sinks, which is affecting London and other parts of southeast England. Unusually hot and dry weather is causing the soil to dry out, shrink and shift, leading to cracks and other damage to buildings.According to a spokesperson for the British Geological Survey, or BGS, "Subsidence is one of the most damaging geohazards in the UK today," CNN reported. Experts warn that the problem could worsen as rising global temperatures lead to more frequent periods of extreme heat and dry weather.Why Are London Homes Sinking?London is built largely on clay soil, which expands when it absorbs water and shrinks when it becomes dry.