The world's most rapidly declining groundwater
Spain, Iran, China and Chile are among the world’s hot spots for the most rapidly dropping groundwater levels in the 21st century, according to a new analysis of 1,700 aquifers in 40 countries. Six California basins rank in the top 100 for the biggest rate of decline. About 12% of the aquifers studied showed losses of more than 20 inches a year.
Median annual change in groundwater basin levels (meters):
1m or more gained
0.25m to 1m gained
Between 0.25m gained or depleted
0.25m to 1m depleted
1m or more depleted
- Source: Jasechko, S., et al. Rapid groundwater decline and some cases of recovery in aquifers globally. Nature, 2024
- Credits: John Osborn D'Agostino, CalMatters