San Francisco's sinking tower seen from space

Millennium Tower on Friday, July 29, 2016 in San Francisco, California. The tower is currently facing structural issues causing a lean. Millennium Tower on Friday, July 29, 2016 in San Francisco, California. The tower is currently facing structural issues causing a lean. Photo: Michael Noble Jr., The Chronicle Photo: Michael Noble Jr., The Chronicle Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close San Francisco's sinking tower seen from space 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — 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.

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.