Groundwater drawdown and land subsidence in Mashhad plain

Subject Areas :

جعفر  Rahnema rad ¹ (گروه زمین شناسی،دانشکده علوم پایه دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد زاهدان)
فریدون  KHosravi ² (گروه زمین شناسی،دانشکده علوم پایه دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد زاهدان)
R.  Farhang ³ (گروه زمین شناسی،دانشکده علوم پایه دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد زاهدان)

Received: 2016-09-06 Accepted : 2016-09-06 Published : 2009-12-22

Keywords: Groundwater, Khorasan Razavi, Mashhad, Subsidence, drawdown,

Abstract :

Mashhad Plain is the most important and essential source of fresh water and also a significantindustrial and agricultural pole in Khorasan Razavi Province. Nearly one billion cube meter ofwater is extracted annually from the groundwater source. Excessive use of groundwater in theplain has led to land subsidence issues. Among 35 banned plains in Khorasan Razavi, currently 12plains experience critical situation, while Mashhad Plain is under overcritical conditions; the plaincovers over the half population of the province and serves 14 million pilgrims annually.Groundwater drawdown has reached 40-60 meters during 30-40 recent years and this caused to drythe saturated aquifer stratum, which in turn led to subsidence and consequently longitudinal andvertical fractures in farms, roads, and ways. Several approaches were presented to stop subsidence.