Earth Sciences

Global land subsidence mapping reveals widespread loss of aquifer storage capacity

M. F. Hasan, R. Smith, et al.

Groundwater overdraft leads to alarming land subsidence and loss of vital groundwater storage. This groundbreaking study employs machine learning and remote sensing to predict global subsidence magnitude with a spatial resolution of ~2 km. Authored by Md Fahim Hasan, Ryan Smith, Sanaz Vajedian, Rahel Pommerenke, and Sayantan Majumdar, the findings reveal a staggering global aquifer storage loss of -17 km³/year, predominantly affecting cropland and urban environments.