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← GeographyWhich feedback loop accelerates sinkhole expansion during groundwater extraction?
A)Reduced structural subsurface support✓
B)Increased soil aggregate cohesion
C)Decreased hydraulic conductivity
D)Enhanced mineral precipitation rate
💡 Explanation
Groundwater extraction lowers the water table, leading to reduced pore pressure via the mechanism of effective stress increase. Because the water supports the soil, loss of support destabilizes the cavity roof, accelerating collapse and expansion of sinkholes; therefore, this is the primary initial feedback rather than cohesion increases.
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