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Elastic and Inelastic Aquifer Compaction

By Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center 1999 (approx.)

A figure showing how compaction of clay aquitard layers in an aquifer system may lead to inelastic compaction.

Detailed Description

When long-term pumping lowers ground-water levels and raises stresses on an aquitard layer beyond the preconsolidation-stress thresholds of that layer, the aquitards compact and the land surface subsides permanently.

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.

Figure from USGS Circular 1182, (Galloway, 1999)

https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1182

Related Content

Publications

Label

January 1, 2000

Land subsidence in the United States

No abstract available.

Authors

Devin L. Galloway, David R. Jones, S. E. Ingebritsen

Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

January 1, 1999

Land subsidence in the United States

This report explores the role of science in defining and understanding subsidence problems, and shows that the optimal use of our land and water resources may depend on improved scientific understanding to minimize subsidence. More than 80 percent of the identified land subsidence in the Nation is a consequence of human impact on subsurface water, and is an often overlooked environmental consequen