What term describes the sinking of the ground surface due to excessive groundwater withdrawal?

The term that describes the sinking of the ground surface due to excessive groundwater withdrawal is subsidence. This phenomenon occurs when large volumes of groundwater are extracted from aquifers, leading to a reduction in the pressure that supports the overlying material. As the water is removed, the soil or rock layers can compress and settle, resulting in the ground sinking. This can have significant impacts on the landscape, infrastructure, and groundwater availability, making it a critical issue in areas where groundwater is heavily used.

Flooding refers to the overflow of water onto normally dry land, which is unrelated to groundwater withdrawal. Erosion refers to the process by which soil and rock are removed from one location and transported to another, typically through wind, water, or ice, and does not involve sinking ground surfaces. Condensation is the process of converting water vapor into liquid water, commonly associated with weather phenomena and does not pertain to the sinking of the ground surface. Thus, subsidence accurately captures the specific geological consequence of excessive groundwater extraction.