Basin subsidence can lead to earth fissures, which can damage roads, foundations, and canals – the Central Arizona Project canal below was disrupted by an earth fissure. Frequently they become an impromptu dumping ground for tires, kitchen appliances, and other waste. Ground subsidence accompanies extensive groundwater pumping and basin sediment compaction. In the image below, taken by Herb Schumann (USGS, deceased), basin subsidence near Eloy, Arizona, measures 15.4 feet between 1952 and 1985. See Larry Fellows' Arizona Geology article for more details: http://www.azgs.az.gov/arizona_geology/archived_issues/Fall_1999.pdf
Photographer: Larry Fellows
Photo Date: circa 1999
