14 DAY TRIAL // The San Joaquin Valley in California, US, is sinking at a worryingly rapid pace, NASA researchers show in a report released this Thursday, August 20.
True, the region has experienced changes in elevation on several occasions over the years. All the same, NASA scientists say it is now sinking faster than ever before.
More precisely, it appears that, in some areas, California's San Joaquin Valley is descending at a rate of almost 2 inches (roughly 5 centimeters) per month.
It's all happening because of drought conditions
California has for some time now been struggling with what officials and researchers call a historic drought. To make do, people are pumping out massive amounts of groundwater.
So much so that, according to the state's Department of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin, local groundwater levels are close to reaching record lows, i.e. nearly 100 feet (30 meters) lower than previous figures.
It is because of this depletion of the state's groundwater sources that the San Joaquin Valley is now sinking at an unprecedented pace, NASA researchers write in their report.
“Sinking land, known as subsidence, has occurred for decades in California because of excessive groundwater pumping during drought conditions, but the new NASA data show the sinking is happening faster,” they say.
For instance, it appears that the terrain near the city of Corcoran sank 13 inches (33 centimeters) over just 8 months. Then, the areas near the California Aqueduct now sit 12.5 inches (32 centimeters) lower than they used to.
The sinking puts people and infrastructure at risk
NASA scientists and the state's Department of Water Resources warn that, should this unprecedented sinking rate continue unabated, California risks massive damage to its infrastructure.
Bridges, roads, aqueducts and even flood control structures - all risk structural damage should the San Joaquin Valley continue to sink. Then again, the state needs to continue pumping groundwater to cope with the drought. The best officials can do is try to better manage water resources.
“We will work together with counties, local water districts, and affected communities to identify ways to slow the rate of subsidence and protect vital infrastructure,” promises Mark Cowin.
