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California
Related: About this forumNapa earthquake shakes loose unknown groundwater
Napa earthquake shakes loose unknown groundwaterSunday, September 7, 2014
VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) A major Northern California earthquake that caused an estimated $400 million in damage also unloosed torrents of groundwater that may help ease the region's drought.
<snip>
Scientists say they've known of this phenomenon since at least the 1860s and have since documented similar occurrences with underground water after several major earthquakes.
The U.S. Geological Survey has received reports of dramatic water increases as much as 20 times average in creeks near Napa, Sonoma and Vallejo. USGS geologist Tom Holzer said he expects other creeks throughout the region of having received similar water infusions.
Holzer said the earthquake opened new cracks and fissures and allowed groundwater to find its way to the surface.
The potential bonanza is expected to dry up in about six to eight weeks when underground water levels return to normal and may even diminish, effecting residents with wells.
"There is only so much water in there," Holzer said. "It's like a bank account. You've just reached into the bank account and borrowed some money, but the spending spree will eventually end."
http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Napa-earthquake-shakes-loose-unknown-groundwater-5739929.php
Some springs shut down, some new ones appear - 'Robbing Peter to pay Paul'. I would not be surprised if one or two of these new spring turns out to be a hot mineral water.
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Napa earthquake shakes loose unknown groundwater (Original Post)
Brother Buzz
Sep 2014
OP
That's interesting; I hadn't heard of this happening before. Great news! n/t
CaliforniaPeggy
Sep 2014
#1
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,588 posts)1. That's interesting; I hadn't heard of this happening before. Great news! n/t
Downwinder
(12,869 posts)3. 7 May 1887 COLONIA JUÁREZ Chihuahua, Mexico
7.2 Earthquake
Forest fires, tremors, dust, but water levels increased
Brother Buzz
(36,416 posts)4. More then one resort in Lake county closed...
after their mineral baths dried up after the 1906 earthquake.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,868 posts)2. Quick, someone water a golf course!!!!
Last edited Wed Sep 10, 2014, 02:43 PM - Edit history (1)
...
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)5. Or maybe a tobacco field and those parched lawns.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)6. I do not believe we have any tobacco fields out here.
Of course, there is that other smokable crop.
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)12. I have NO idea what you are talking about, man.
progressoid
(49,978 posts)7. And bottle what's left over.
phantom power
(25,966 posts)8. This doesn't seem like a good development to me
it's just uncontrolled loss of already-precious aquifer
Brother Buzz
(36,416 posts)10. Aquifers, this fractured area does not have one single aquifer
The uncontrolled loss of water is short lived, as stated in the article, but the shift of groundwater will last until Mother Nature shuffles the cards and deals another earthquake.
I suspect the well drillers think this is a grand development.
Auggie
(31,163 posts)11. Yes. Most of it flowed out to sea.
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)9. Good thing the earth got the water before the frackers got to it