"Large-Scale Water Use in California May Cause Small Quakes: Study"

"Depletion of groundwater in California's Central Valley for agriculture and other uses could be contributing to an increase in small earthquakes along the famed San Andreas fault, a scientific study published on Wednesday said.

But the phenomenon is not believed to lead to an increased risk of large earthquakes, said Western Washington University geology professor Colin Amos, the study's lead author.

The study, which came out on Wednesday in the journal Nature, focused especially on the heavily irrigated San Joaquin Valley, an agricultural region at the southern end of the state's Central Valley."

Alex Dobuzinskis reports for Reuters May 15, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Groundwater Depletion Is Destabilizing the San Andreas Fault and Increasing Earthquake Risk" (San Francisco Public Press)

"California’s Thirst Shapes Debate Over Fracking" (New York Times)