Glossary of Selected Terms Useful in Studies of the Mechanics of Aquifer Systems and Land Subsidence due to Fluid Withdrawal

The geologic and engineering literature contains a variety of terms that have been used to describe the processes and environmental conditions involved in the mechanics of stressed aquifer systems and of land subsidence due to withdrawal of subsurface fluids. The usage of certain of these terms in reports by the U.S. Geological Survey research staff investigating mechanics of aquifer systems and land subsidence is defined and explained in this glossary. Several terms that have developed as a result of the Survey’s investigations are also defined.