Jafar Shariat

Land subsidence poses a significant crisis, primarily driven by the overexploitation of water resources. When excessive water is extracted from underground layers, it leads to the gradual collapse of the land surface, resulting in deep fissures and cracks.

Groundwater typically recharges naturally through snow and rainfall. However, in certain regions, water extraction outpaces replenishment rates. This imbalance causes the soil to lose its structural integrity, leading to the sinking of its upper layers.

In some plains of Iran, the situation has escalated beyond mere subsidence, progressing to the formation of sinkholes—a critical stage indicative of severe land degradation.