The authors have developed Percolation Theory-based methodologies to estimate alluvium modulus as a function of lithology, depth, groundwater level and effective stress. Applied at aquifer stress points, such as major pumping wells, this facilitates subsidence modeling at its’ sources. Modeled subsidence is then propagated over time across the basin from the source(s) using a time delay exponential decay function similar to the soil mechanics consolidation coefficient, only applied laterally.

Monitoring systems capable of quantifying rates and distribution of land subsidence and detection of ground rupture for many types of infrastructure including dams, levees, channels, basins, roadways, and mining facilities are discussed. Methods implemented include optical leveling and GPS surveys, ground reconnaissance, photo-geological analysis, groundwater monitoring, tape-extensometers, InSAR, borehole tiltmeters, microseismic arrays, excavation of monitoring trenches, and TDR.