What might happen if there is excessive water removal from the Central Valley Aquifer in California?(1 point)
Responses
It can transform California completely to a desert.
It can transform California completely to a desert.
It could force tectonic plates to move, resulting in volcanoes.
It could force tectonic plates to move, resulting in volcanoes.
It can cause severe weather changes in California.
It can cause severe weather changes in California.
It could cause faults to be less stable, resulting in earthquakes.
It could cause faults to be less stable, resulting in earthquakes.
Excessive water removal from the Central Valley Aquifer in California can have various consequences. One potential outcome is that it can transform California into a desert due to the depletion of groundwater resources. Another possible consequence is that it could force tectonic plates to move, potentially leading to volcanic activity. Additionally, the excessive removal of water can cause severe weather changes in California. Lastly, it could also result in faults becoming less stable, potentially increasing the risk of earthquakes.
The correct answer is: It could cause faults to be less stable, resulting in earthquakes.
When excessive water is removed from the Central Valley Aquifer in California, it can cause the land to sink, a process known as subsidence. This subsidence can put stress on the faults in the region, making them less stable. As a result, the likelihood of earthquakes occurring increases. This is because the faults are no longer able to release stress gradually through minor tremors, leading to an increased risk of larger, more destructive earthquakes.
To arrive at this answer, you can consider the relationship between water removal from aquifers and seismic activity. Excessive groundwater pumping leads to the depletion of aquifers, causing the surrounding land to sink. This land subsidence can change the stress distribution on faults, which can trigger earthquakes. Understanding the geology and hydrology of an area, along with the potential consequences of excessive water removal, allows us to predict the impact on seismic activity.