“The United States is currently confronting a significant environmental crisis as extensive cracks in the earth’s surface are appearing in the southwestern regions. These substantial rifts, stretching for miles, have been observed in states like Arizona, Utah, and California. The primary cause of this alarming phenomenon is the excessive extraction of groundwater, a vital resource that constitutes almost half of the nation’s drinking water supply and approximately 40% of global irrigation.
The unsustainable rate at which groundwater is being extracted exceeds the Earth’s natural capacity for replenishment, as reported by Business Insider. This relentless over-extraction results in land subsidence, leading to the formation of these disruptive cracks, as explained by Joseph Cook, a researcher at the Arizona Geological Survey. Cook emphasizes that these cracks do not occur naturally; they are a consequence of human activities.
These menacing cracks, often found in the basins nestled between mountains, pose significant threats to infrastructure, including homes, roads, canals, and dams. Furthermore, they can have adverse effects on property values, livestock, and human lives. Arizona has been aware of this issue for a considerable period and has been monitoring it since 2002, with the Arizona Geological Survey currently documenting 169 miles of these disruptive formations.
A recent investigation by The New York Times has highlighted the severity of the situation, categorizing it as a national crisis. The report underscores that aquifers, which supply approximately 90% of the United States’ water systems, are being depleted to such an extent that their ability to recover is in doubt. Over the past four decades, nearly half of the monitored sites have witnessed significant declines, with four out of every ten sites reaching historically low water levels in the past decade.
Cook emphasizes that some sites in Arizona have reached a point of no return due to consistent and excessive water use, leaving inadequate time for rainwater to recharge the underground aquifers. “Essentially, some of these basins in Arizona are so far beyond that point that recovery is unlikely,” Cook added.
Compounding this critical issue is the impact of climate change. Rising global temperatures are causing rivers to shrink, compelling farmers to increasingly rely on groundwater reserves for their freshwater needs. The Colorado River, a crucial freshwater source for farmers in the Southwest, has already experienced a nearly 20% decline in its water levels since 2000.
A significant challenge in addressing the problem of over-pumping lies in the lack of stringent regulations governing groundwater extraction. The federal government’s oversight is minimal, and individual states have varying and often weak regulations. Historically, Arizona has allowed unregulated groundwater use, following a first-come-first-serve approach.
Cook warns that unless consumption patterns change, and underground aquifers are allowed to naturally recharge, these disruptive cracks will continue to proliferate. “As long as we keep extracting more groundwater than can naturally replenish, this issue will persist,” he concluded. The situation demands immediate attention and comprehensive measures to preserve this vital natural resource and protect the affected regions from further harm.