The team at Northwestern University was reportedly the first to measure the effects of subsurface climate change on civil infrastructure, which they call a "silent hazard". 

As the ground heats up, it also deforms. This phenomenon causes building foundations and the surrounding ground to expand and contract, which could lead to cracks and undermine the longevity of urban structures. 

The researchers also reported that past building damage may have been caused by such rising temperatures and expect these issues to continue for years to come.

“Underground climate change is a silent hazard,” said Alessandro Rotta Loria, who led the study. “The ground is deforming as a result of temperature variations, and no existing civil structure or infrastructure is designed to withstand these variations. Although this phenomenon is not dangerous for people’s safety necessarily, it will affect the normal day-to-day operations of foundation systems and civil...