Giant cracks in the ground appeared in four US states. This is reported by the portal Science Alert.
Faults with a total length of more than 270 kilometers are seen in Arizona, Utah, California and Texas.
It is noted that they were discovered by scientist Joseph Cook from the Geological Service of Arizona.
When too much groundwater is pumped from natural aquifers below the surface, it causes the land to subside and create these cracks, Cook says. They “are not a natural phenomenon.” Faults are signs of stress in the earth, and they fringe large flat areas that sag when they lose groundwater support.
These cracks, Cook said, are a serious hazard because they can cause buildings to collapse and damage roads, dams and bridges.
Arizona has long been aware of the problem and has been monitoring it since at least 2002, the portal summarizes.