Land subsidence - IE - 10/01/23

Context:
The exact reason behind Joshimath land subsidence is still unknown but experts cite unplanned construction, over-population, obstruction of the natural flow of water, and hydel power activities as possible causes.
Relevance:
GS1
About:
-According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), subsidence is the sinking of the ground because of underground material movement.
-Reasons can be manmade or natural:
a. removal of water, oil, or natural resources, along with mining activities
b. Earthquakes
c. Soil erosion and
d. Soil compaction

->Reasons behind Joshimath subsidence:
-unplanned construction,
-over-population,
-obstruction of the natural flow of water and hydel power activities.
-the area is a seismic zone, which makes it prone to frequent earthquakes.
-the subsidence in Joshimath might have been triggered by the reactivation of a geographic fault —
defined as a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock — where the Indian Plate has pushed under the Eurasian Plate along the Himalayas.

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