ScienceJuly 14, 2026
subsidence
/səbˈsaɪ.dəns/
Definition
The gradual caving in or sinking of an area of land due to the removal of underground materials, such as groundwater.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'subsidere,' meaning to settle or sink down. It entered English in the 17th century to describe the act of settling to a lower level or state.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe how coastal Chinese megacities are sinking as a direct consequence of over-extracting the groundwater beneath them. This creates significant risks to urban infrastructure, requiring careful management as authorities attempt to restore water levels.
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