Analysis of the Gulf Coast Aquifer System Compaction Based on Extensometer Records at Baytown and Pasadena, Texas, USA
Publication: World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2024
ABSTRACT
A total of 14 extensometers were installed in Houston-Galveston Region, Texas, USA, at 12 locations to record compaction. The earliest extensometer began to record compaction in 1973. Records from three of the extensometers installed at Baytown (Shallow and Deep) and Pasadena exhibit anomalous subsidence from 2009 to 2017. The maximum compaction occurred around 2014 with Baytown Shallow recording 164 mm, Baytown Deep 72 mm, and Pasadena 135 mm. The anomalous subsidence exhibits features not related to primary consolidation subsidence (PCS) and secondary consolidation subsidence (SCS) of the Gulf Coast Aquifer System (GCAS). Groundwater level records at the extensometer locations indicate that the anomalous subsidence is not related to groundwater exploitation and creep of the GCAS in this region. Analysis of compaction data for the three sites indicates that the subsidence is partially elastic. Salt dome growth/evolution resulting in activation/reactivation of subsurface and surface faults is proposed as the mechanism responsible for the anomalous subsidence.
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Published In
World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2024
Pages: 464 - 472
History
Published online: May 16, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Creep
- Data analysis
- Disaster risk management
- Disasters and hazards
- Elastic analysis
- Engineering fundamentals
- Geohazards
- Geology
- Geotechnical engineering
- Groundwater
- Groundwater depletion
- Gulfs
- Land subsidence
- Materials characterization
- Materials engineering
- Methodology (by type)
- Natural disasters
- Research methods (by type)
- Rheology
- Structural analysis
- Structural engineering
- Water (by type)
- Water and water resources
- Water level
- Water management
- Water supply
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