US geologists have published the results of their research in the Central Valley of California. Careful studies of this area have shown that the surface of the terrain goes underground. The Central Valley, which measures 52 thousand square kilometers, is considered the richest agricultural region in the world.
Employees of the American Geological Department say: “In just a few years, the Central Valley has settled. The reason for this phenomenon may be the very frequent droughts that periodically occur in this region. Thus, the level of groundwater decreases, which is the main and only cause of soil subsidence."
The Geological Survey conducted its research using two super-powerful satellites: the apparatus of the Japanese agency ALOS and the satellite of the European agency ENVISAT. According to the data obtained, from 2010 to 2014, the soil level in the Central Valley dropped by more than half a meter. At the moment, the service is trying in every possible way to restore the normal level of groundwater.