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Unraveling shallow causes of subsidence
Author(s) -
MuntendamBos A. G.,
Kleuskens M. H. P.,
Bakr M.,
de Lange G.,
Fokker P. A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2009gl037190
Subject(s) - geology , swelling , subsidence , inversion (geology) , peat , settlement (finance) , groundwater related subsidence , geotechnical engineering , soil science , geomorphology , seismology , computer science , tectonics , ecology , structural basin , biology , world wide web , payment , chemical engineering , engineering
The surface movement in the Krimpenerwaard polder in The Netherlands results from primary or hydrodynamic settlement/swelling, secondary or creep settlement/swelling, and peat oxidation. We used surface movement measurements in a Bayesian inversion scheme to disentangle the contribution of these three processes to the subsidence. The prior information, including spatial correlations, appeared to be crucial in our procedure. This prior information was derived from geological modeling incorporating the most important uncertainties. The inversion procedure allowed us to quantify the contributions of the three processes with unprecedented accuracy. Surface rise in the data was related to swelling of the clay layers, even though swelling was considered infeasible in the prior information. Despite this, the irreversible nature of peat oxidation was preserved. The improved subsurface description offers prospects for identification of incorrect information and for better assessments of the effects of water management.