A SINKING FEELING

This morning in Geology lab we learned about groundwater-related subsidence.  This process is caused, essentially, by our overuse of wells, removing so much water from the aquifers below that the land itself subsides--sinks.

 Source site's caption: Figure 2. Approximate location of maximum subsidence in the United States identified by research efforts of Dr. Joseph F. Poland (pictured). Signs on pole show approximate altitude of land surface in 1925, 1955, and 1977. The site is in the San Joaquin Valley southwest of Mendota, California.

One particular case study we worked with is the San Francisco Bay area--San Jose and Santa Clara near the southern tip of the bay.  We studied an image that showed the sinking of the land over time as they have pulled water out of the land below.  Our lab book said that the subsided cities over the years have had to take preventative measures to prevent flooding from the Bay to their now sunken cities.

Let me say it another way: Because the people of the southern bay area have taken (and continue to take) so much water from beneath the earth, they are now having to protect themselves against floods of water from the bay to the north.

Funny how things work.

Anyway, just thought I would post this thought before it got lost in a void of "doing it later."  Fall Break is upon me; two classes to go, and I do not have any more work to immediately worry about.  Though there are plenty of school-related and non-school-related tasks set for this weekend.  It'll be busy...but hopefully not busy at the same time.