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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.
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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

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link
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link

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