Study of land subsidence around the city of Shiraz

Abstract

Land subsidence phenomenon due to human activities and natural factors has been observed in the plains of Fars province, which imposes heavy damage to agricultural lands, rural buildings, and historical monuments. In this paper, after identifying and determining rate of damage in Fars province, Marvdasht plain and its damaged villages have been chosen as the case study. The land subsidence map of Marvdasht and villages was presented by the data obtained from state of Groundwater, soil, and soil parameters. Also, the effects of faults, tectonic situation, dried qanat, occurred earthquakes in this area, and the observed fissured were taken into account. Generally, uncontrolled withdrawals from deep drilling wells caused subsidence and extended damage in other areas. Earthquakes intensi ed the damage to rural buildings and contributed to opening gaps. The altered subsidence identified in di erent parts of Marvdasht plain and the damage in rural areas along with the predictions made could represent the progressive damage of this phenomenon in the future. Finally, with respect to the climate, geology, land status, characteristic of soil layers, and regional potential, appropriate solutions for the land subsidence prevention and, consequently, reduction of the related damages were presented.