Groundwater Subsidence in California | 06 Dec 2024

Source: Nature

Recently, a study reveals that California’s San Joaquin Valley has been sinking at a record pace due to overpumping groundwater, with some areas experiencing declines of over one foot per year since 2006.

The Valley has a history of subsidence, with significant land sinking occurring from 1925 to 1970 due to aggressive groundwater pumping.
Researchers employed interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) to accurately measure land elevation changes.
- This technology allows for frequent monitoring of subsidence across large areas, providing valuable data for addressing the issue.
Land Subsidence:
- According to the NOAA, land subsidence is sinking off the ground because of underground material movement.
- Overexploitation of underground resources, such as water, petroleum and minerals, decreases pore pressure and increases effective stress, causing ground subsidence.
- Flood-managed aquifer recharge strategies can mitigate subsidence by recharging aquifers.
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