Why we urgently need a public subsidence information service in the Netherlands
conference paper
Geological surveys traditionally assess past and present processes in the subsurface, focusing mainly
on exploration and extraction of natural resources. Applications like these determined how geological surveys
designed and operated their information services. In recent years, information needs are rapidly evolving in
conjunction with emerging societal challenges such as climate change and the related energy transition. Both
challenges have a geological component and have potentially large implications for future land use. Subsidence
is a particularly wicked challenge to the Dutch lowlands. These lands are drained to keep them arable and
habitable, while drainage causes subsidence. They overlie hydrocarbon and other geological recourses of which
the production causes subsidence too. The effects of both – increased flood risk – are aggravated by climate
change and sea-level rise. Managing these risks requires knowing and understanding the connection between
subsurface processes and surface movement. This knowledge must be quantitative. Subsidence forecasts can be
improved by squeezing all possible information out of a variety of local data, ranging from geological data that
bear information on subsidence potential to geodetic data which allow for subsidence monitoring. This paper
will substantiate the value of subsidence information for governance in sensitive areas, using examples in The
Netherlands. In particular, the potential role of a nation-wide, freely accessible repository for subsidence data
will be highlighted
on exploration and extraction of natural resources. Applications like these determined how geological surveys
designed and operated their information services. In recent years, information needs are rapidly evolving in
conjunction with emerging societal challenges such as climate change and the related energy transition. Both
challenges have a geological component and have potentially large implications for future land use. Subsidence
is a particularly wicked challenge to the Dutch lowlands. These lands are drained to keep them arable and
habitable, while drainage causes subsidence. They overlie hydrocarbon and other geological recourses of which
the production causes subsidence too. The effects of both – increased flood risk – are aggravated by climate
change and sea-level rise. Managing these risks requires knowing and understanding the connection between
subsurface processes and surface movement. This knowledge must be quantitative. Subsidence forecasts can be
improved by squeezing all possible information out of a variety of local data, ranging from geological data that
bear information on subsidence potential to geodetic data which allow for subsidence monitoring. This paper
will substantiate the value of subsidence information for governance in sensitive areas, using examples in The
Netherlands. In particular, the potential role of a nation-wide, freely accessible repository for subsidence data
will be highlighted
Topics
TNO Identifier
881957
Source title
10th International Symposium on Land Subsidence (TISOLS)
Pages
1-3