Which describes the sinking of the surface when large amounts of water leaves the aquifer?(1 point)
Responses
subsidence
subsidence
mining
mining
precipitation
precipitation
drought
subsidence
The correct answer is "subsidence."
The correct answer is "subsidence." Subsidence refers to the sinking of the Earth's surface when large amounts of water are extracted from an aquifer. This is because when water is removed from an aquifer, it creates a void or empty space underground. Subsequently, the soil and rock above that space may compact and settle, causing the surface to sink.
To find the correct answer to this question, one can eliminate choices that are not related to the sinking of the surface due to water depletion from an aquifer.
- "Mining" refers to the extraction of minerals or resources from the Earth's surface and does not specifically pertain to the sinking of the surface due to water depletion.
- "Precipitation" refers to the process by which water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into water droplets and falls to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. It is not directly related to the sinking of the Earth's surface due to water extraction from an aquifer.
- "Drought" refers to an extended period of time with below-average precipitation, leading to water scarcity. While drought can indirectly contribute to the sinking of the surface by increasing the demand for water from aquifers, it is not the direct cause of subsidence.
Therefore, "subsidence" is the correct choice to describe the sinking of the surface when large amounts of water leave the aquifer.