Sanjiika: Threat of Disappearance Due to Soil Erosion
The resort village of Sanjiika in the Odessa region is on the brink of disappearance due to active soil erosion. Geologists warn that the situation is critical, and the village may vanish as the coastline deteriorates and washes into the sea.
Geologist Dmytro Zhdanov, who conducted a survey of the area, noted that problems in Sanjiika are not isolated but systematic, as the village lies in a zone of geological instability.
«We are located in a region where landslides are a common occurrence. They happened 10, 20 years ago, and they continue to happen. Here in Sanjiika, the village is gradually going into the sea. Soon, nothing may remain of it,» — the expert explained during the inspection of the problematic coastal sections.
Research has shown that landslides in this area have been occurring for decades, but their intensity has significantly increased recently. A particularly large landslide occurred in spring 2025, when a large chunk of land broke away from the shore.
Dmytro Zhdanov identified several key reasons for the landslides in this region. The main issue is the lack of a beach, allowing sea waves to directly impact the shore during storms.
«There is almost no beach here. Therefore, during a storm, the waves continuously hit the shore, provoking landslides,» — explained the expert regarding the mechanism of coastal erosion.
Additionally, prolonged rains saturating the soil pose another risk factor. The geologist also noted a new risk related to the wartime conditions.
«Moreover, during prolonged rains, if heavy rain occurs, the soil becomes saturated, which also provokes landslides. Recently, there is another factor: if there are any 'strikes' on land, like micro-earthquakes, the slopes are also disrupted, which can provoke a landslide,» — the expert discussed the impact of Russian attacks on the geological situation.
Upon detailed inspection of the territory, specialists discovered numerous cracks indicating the preparation for new landslides in the near future. The scale of the last landslide astounds even experienced geologists — a large piece of land broke away from the shore, leaving deep fissures and a deformed surface behind. The coastal slope is intersected by a network of cracks of varying depths and lengths.
To stabilize the critical situation, Dmytro Zhdanov suggested a set of urgent measures. The primary necessity is to create a full-fledged beach 10-15 meters wide, which can serve as a natural buffer and protect the slope from the direct impact of sea waves during storms. The expert also emphasized the need for a drainage system to effectively divert excess water from the soil.
Progressive soil erosion is already directly affecting the tourist appeal of the village and the opportunities for safe recreation. Paths and descents to the sea, which were previously safe to use, have now become hazardous due to deformation and soil instability. Vacationers are forced to choose alternative places for summer recreation, negatively impacting the region's economy.
Local authorities have yet to announce specific measures to address the issue, although the situation requires urgent intervention. Without comprehensive coastal reinforcement work and the establishment of protective infrastructure, the resort village of Sanjiika may completely disappear from the map of the Odessa region in the coming years.
