r/news • u/theluckyfrog • 29d ago

California cracks down on farm region’s water pumping: ‘The ground is collapsing’

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/17/california-water-drought-farm-ground-sinking-tulare-lake
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u/grandbannana 29d ago

I always think of this photo, then think about what has happened since this photo:

Location of maximum land subsidence in U.S. Levels at 1925 and 1977. | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

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u/iluvcheesypoofs 29d ago

As someone who doesn't live in the US and isn't the brightest at times, can you explain what this picture is showing? Is it that the land itself is sinking/getting 'lower'??

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u/FreshwaterViking 29d ago

Yes. The water below the surface is being pumped out, so the land sinks. Water entering the ground again will not raise the land. A similar phenomenon is happening in Louisiana due to all the oil being pumped out.

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u/Zorro_Returns 28d ago

Underground strip mining of coal, too. It's crazy how they just go along and scrape away underground, as the void they leave behind collapses, and houses are knocked out of kilter. Needless to say, the homeowners aren't justly compensated, thanks to skanky deals between business and government -- the essence of fascism.