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Groundwater Depletion and Land Subsidence in a Rapidly Urbanizing Delta

Amara Okeke,Priya Nair

Posted April 22, 2026 · Submitted by Amara Okeke, University of Cape Town

Abstract

Excessive groundwater extraction drives land subsidence that compounds relative sea-level rise across low-lying, rapidly urbanising deltas. Combining satellite geodesy with piezometric records, we map subsidence rates and attribute them to aquifer compaction. Scenario analysis indicates that managed aquifer recharge in targeted zones could halve projected subsidence over the coming decades, informing sustainable groundwater governance.

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Details

Subject area
Hydrology
License
CC BY 4.0
Keywords
groundwater, subsidence, deltas, InSAR
Posted
April 22, 2026
Downloads
252

How to cite

Amara Okeke, Priya Nair (2026). Groundwater Depletion and Land Subsidence in a Rapidly Urbanizing Delta. TerraNova preprint.

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