Subsidence of the Earth's surface:
A) can be caused by removal of ground water.
B) can be caused by excessive addition of irrigation water.
C) results from expansion of the pore spaces in an aquifer.
D) can usually be reversed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Subsidence of the Earth's surface can be caused by the removal of groundwater, which leads to the compaction and settling of soil and sediment layers. This process is irreversible in most cases, as the compacted layers cannot easily be restored to their original thickness and density. Excessive use of irrigation water can also contribute to subsidence by saturating soil and sediment layers and leading to increased compaction. Expansion of the pore spaces in an aquifer does not cause subsidence; instead, it can lead to uplift or bulging of the ground surface.

Subsidence of the Earth's Surface