Groundwater Overexploitation and Land Subsidence in the Messara Basin, Crete: Integrating Land Use, Hydrolithology and Basin-Scale Potentiometry with InSAR

Ioannis Michalakis, Constantinos Loupasakis () and Eleni Tsolaki
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Ioannis Michalakis: Laboratory of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, GR-157 80 Athens, Greece
Constantinos Loupasakis: Laboratory of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, GR-157 80 Athens, Greece
Eleni Tsolaki: Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration, Regional Branch of Crete, GR-741 00 Rethymno, Greece

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-29

Abstract: The Messara Basin, a critical agricultural region in Crete, Greece, faces escalating geohazards, particularly land subsidence driven by intensive groundwater abstraction. Historical radar interferometry (1992–2009) indicated subsidence up to 20 mm·yr −1 , while recent European Ground Motion Service data (2016–2021) show mean vertical velocities reaching −31.2 mm·yr −1 . This study provides the first integrated hydrogeological assessment for the Basin, based on systematic field surveys, borehole inventories, and four coordinated campaigns (2021–2023) that established a basin-wide monitoring network of 767 stations. The dataset supports delineation of recharge zones, identification of potentiometric depressions, and mapping of aquifer-stress areas. Results show strong seasonality and extensive cones of depression, with local heads declining to ~−50 m below sea level. Land-use change (1990–2018 CORINE data; 2000–2020 agricultural censuses) combined with updated geological mapping highlights the vulnerability of post-Alpine formations, especially Quaternary and Plio–Pleistocene deposits, to deformation. The combined evidence links pumping-induced head decline with spatially coherent subsidence, delineates hotspots of aquifer stress, and identifies zones of elevated compaction risk. These findings provide a decision-ready baseline to support sustainable groundwater management, including enhanced monitoring, targeted demand controls, and managed aquifer-recharge trials.

Keywords: land subsidence; groundwater overexploitation; Messara Basin; European Ground Motion Service; InSAR Data; groundwater dynamics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:11:p:2124-:d:1779361

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