California Sinking Faster Than Thought, Aquifers Could Permanently Shrink

By John Heatherly

Some of these numbers will capture your attention. Parts of California are sinking as much as two inches per month. The Fresno area sank thirteen inches in eight months. Sacramento Valley, .5 inches per month. The drought persists and sinking, also called subsidence, is accelerating. There’s more to the startling story, reported by Foxnews:

California is sinking even faster than scientists had thought, new NASA satellite imagery shows.

Some areas of the Golden State are sinking more than 2 inches per month, the imagery reveals. Though the sinking, called subsidence, has long been a problem in California, the rate is accelerating because the state’s extreme drought is fueling voracious groundwater pumping.

“Because of increased pumping, groundwater levels are reaching record lows — up to 100 feet (30 meters) lower than previous records,” Mark Cowin, director of California’s Department of Water Resources, said in a statement. “As extensive groundwater pumping continues, the land is sinking more rapidly, and this puts nearby infrastructure at greater risk of costly damage.” [It’s Raining Spiders! The Weirdest Effects of California’s Drought]

What’s more, this furious groundwater pumping could have long-term consequences. If the land shrinks too much, and for …read more

Source:: Patriot Outdoor News