Reconstructing mid-to-recent Holocene paleoenvironments in the vicinity of ancient Amarynthos (Euboea,Greece)

This article examines the shoreline evolution and human occupation in the vicinity of the important archeological site of Amarynthos (Euboea Island, Greece) over the last six millennia. Archeological evidence indicates a continuous occupation of the site from the Bronze Age to the Roman period and the site is well-known, thanks to the existence of a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Based on the study of four boreholes, a paleogeographic reconstruction of the coastal landscape is proposed. Facies were determined based on mollusc identification, and sedimentology based on grain-size measurements (hand sieving for the fraction above 2?mm and LASER technique for particles below 2?mm) and loss-on-ignition. In addition, a series of 12 AMS radiocarbon dates define a reliable chronostratigraphy. Results suggest the presence of a fully marine environment from the early Holocene to ca. 2600–2400?cal. BC, which developed into a brackish environment from ca. 2600–2400?cal. BC to ca. 750?cal. BC due to the deltaic progradation of the nearby stream (Sarandapotamos River). From ca. 750?cal. BC onward, coastal swamps prevailed in the study area. Human-environmental interaction is discussed and particular attention is paid to the paleolandscape configuration of Amarynthos.     

Late Quaternary landscape evolution in a region of stable postglacial relative sea levels,British Columbia central coast,Canada

After retreat of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet (CIS) and subsequent glacio‐isostatic adjustment of the central coast of British Columbia (BC), Canada, a complex coastline emerged as relative sea level rapidly reached equilibrium and maintained stability over the end of the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. This study provides a late Quaternary reconstruction of the landscape evolution of a geographically distinct location on the central BC coast, northwest Calvert Island, which experienced a re‐advance of the CIS near the end of the Late Pleistocene and minimal subsequent relative sea‐level change. Geomorphological observations from LiDAR imagery, sedimentological and palaeoecological evidence from exposures, cores and shovel pits, and a robust luminescence and ¹⁴C‐based chronology spanning the last 15 000 years are used to reconstruct the landscape of northwest Calvert Island following CIS retreat. A single‐aliquot regenerative dose protocol that was developed specifically for luminescence dating of the sediments on Calvert Island was utilized in this study. Localized proglacial sedimentation was linked to the glacial re‐advance experienced at the end of the Late Pleistocene. Extensive coastal reconfiguration (e.g. rapid shoreline progradation of >1 m a⁻¹) occurred in the absence of extensive RSL change, which was the main driver of coastal change elsewhere along the BC coast. Changes in climate, small magnitude changes in RSL, and fire all probably played a role in isolated aeolian landform development and stabilization in the study area. An important contribution of this study is the documentation of the multi‐disciplinary approach for reconstructing palaeogeography, using multiple geochronological methods, micro‐ and macro‐sedimentology, the palaeoecology inferred from both macro and microfossils (e.g. diatoms and foraminifers), stratigraphy, field mapping and remote sensing. In addition, these findings inform our understanding of the drivers of coastal sedimentary processes, particularly in the temperate coastal rainforest region of BC, and the role that fire may play in those processes. Coastal palaeogeography studies in the region will become increasingly important as discoveries of Late Pleistocene human habitation along the coastal migration route continue to be documented.     

Relative sea level changes and regional tectonic evolution of seven coastal areas in NW Greece since the mid-Holocene

This study presents relative sea level (RSL) curves for seven coastal areas in Akarnania and the northwestern Peloponnese (NW Greece) since the mid-Holocene. RSL fluctuations are deduced from 48 ¹⁴C-AMS dated sedimentological sea level markers from 27 vibracores drilled in near-coast geological archives as well as from six geoarchaeological sea level indicators of known ages. Seven palaeo sea level curves including uncertainty bands are reconstructed for a coastal zone spanning a distance of 150 km. Considerable intra-regional differences in sea level evolution exist. These differences are mainly due to tectonic reasons. In general, RSL in northwestern Greece has never been higher than today. Rates of local sea level rise were highest until 5500–5000 cal BC (up to 12.3 m/ka) and lowest during 4000–500 cal BC (0.2–1.4 m/ka). During the past 2500 or so years, RSL has accelerated anew (0.7–2.7 m/ka). Calculating differences between local mean sea level curves provides quantitative information on intra-regional differences of tectonic activity. The coastal plains of Palairos and Elis show signs of uplift, whereas the Mytikas and Boukka plains are strongly subsiding. Compared to other areas of the eastern Mediterranean, northwestern Greece has been subject to significant net long-term subsidence. Regional tectonic events (RTEs) were detected for the time around 4000, 2500, 500 and 250 cal BC as well as around 250 and 1250 cal AD. RTEs are characterized by changes of uplift/subsidence rates or by the redirection of local tectonic movements. The question if some of the RTEs were of a supra-regional nature is still open. From a geodynamic point of view, the results presented show that Akarnania's southwestern fringe is being downwarped while the tectonic block as a whole is moving towards the southwest. Strongest subsidence rates are observed for central Akarnania. At Akarnania's fringes, subsidence is reduced by the influence of strong uplift of adjacent areas such as around Preveza and the northern Peloponnese.     

Archaeological and Geophysical Investigation of Submerged Coastal Structures in Kekova,Southern Coast of Turkey

We conducted archaeological and geophysical surveys in order to investigate the submergence of ancient constructions along the coast at Kekova Island in southern Turkey. Submerged archaeological remains were measured with respect to present sea level, and geological features that may have caused subsidence were determined by seismic investigation. We estimated relative sea‐level change taking into account presumed original elevation of constructions associated with the harbor at the time of occupation and compared our results with eustatic–isostatic sea‐level studies in the Mediterranean. Ceramics found along the submerged quay of Kekova Island provided evidence for the time of last use of the harbor structures and suggest that submergence began during the early Byzantine period. Considering relative sea‐level changes, eustatic–isostatic effects, and the period of submergence, we estimate a rate of coastal tectonic subsidence of at least 1.6 mm/yr over the last 1400 years.     

Coastal Habitat Use and Residency of Juvenile Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae)

Coastal habitat use and residency of a coastal bay by juvenile Atlantic sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, were examined by acoustic monitoring, gillnet sampling, and conventional tag–recapture. Acoustic monitoring data were used to define the residency and movement patterns of sharks within Crooked Island Sound, Florida. Over 3 years, sharks were monitored for periods of 1–37 days, with individuals regularly moving in and out of the study site. Individual sharks were continuously present within the study site for periods of 1–35 days. Patterns of movement could not be correlated with time of day. Home range sizes were typically small (average?=?1.29 km²) and did not vary on a yearly basis. Gillnet sampling revealed that juvenile Atlantic sharpnose sharks were present in all habitat types found within Crooked Island Sound, and peaks in abundance varied depending on month within a year. Although telemetry data showed that most individuals remained within the study site for short periods of time before emigrating, conventional tag–recapture data indicates some individuals return to Crooked Island Sound after extended absences (maximum length?=?1,352 days). Although conventional shark nursery theory suggests small sharks remain in shallow coastal waters to avoid predation, juvenile Atlantic sharpnose sharks frequently exited from protected areas and appear to move through deeper waters to adjacent coastal bays and estuaries. Given the high productivity exhibited by this species, the benefit gained through a nursery that reduces predation may be limited for this species.     

Holocene palaeogeographical reconstruction and relative sea-level changes in the southeastern part of the island of Samos (Greece)

In this paper, we focus on the southeastern coastal zone of the island of Samos (east-central Aegean Sea), in order to reconstruct the evolution of coastal landscapes and the relative sea-level changes during the late Holocene. We use geomorphological mapping, sedimentological and palaeontological proxies of late Holocene coastal deposits from two lagoon environments. We further compare our results with previously published sea-level data and we show that the southeastern part of Samos was characterized by a subsidence trend at least during the late Holocene, with RSL rise rates of ∼0.8 mm/yr. Our study additionally highlights that local-scale tectonics is responsible for the evolution of the coastal zone of Samos.     

Advances and Practices on the Research,Prevention and Control of Land Subsidence in Coastal Cities

Land subsidence severely threatens most of the coastal plains around the world where high productive industrial and agricultural activities and urban centers are concentrated. Coastal subsidence damages infrastructures and exacerbates the effect of the sea-level rise at regional scale. Although it is a well-known process, there is still much more to be improved on the monitoring, mapping and modeling of ground movements, as well as the understanding of controlling mechanisms. The International Geoscience Programme recently approved an international project (IGCP 663) aiming to bring together worldwide researchers to share expertise on subsidence processes typically occurring in coastal areas and cities, including basic research, monitoring and observation, modelling and management. In this paper, we provide the research communities and potential stakeholders with the basic information to join the participating teams in developing this project. Specifically, major advances on coastal subsidence studies and information on well-known and new case studies of land subsidence in China, Italy, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are highlighted and summarized. Meanwhile, the networking, dissemination, annual meeting and field trip are briefly introduced.     

基于PSInSAR技术的唐山南部沿海地区地面沉降研究

唐山南部沿海地区是唐山市地面沉降灾害较严重的地区,地面沉降的快速发展对唐山世界级重化工业基地的功能发挥构成严重威胁,全面了解唐山南部沿海地区地面沉降的分布演化态势及其发育主导因素至关重要。基于中高分辨率雷达数据,采用PSInSAR技术获取唐山南部沿海地区地面沉降场的分布及演化信息,可以发现这一地区的区域地面沉降漏斗与地下水位下降漏斗具有良好的对应关系,且沉降区范围沿区内基底断裂带一侧展布。但在曹妃甸工业区,地面沉降特征与过量开采地下水引起的地面沉降特征有所不同,地面沉降区呈点状、斑状分布,沉降区范围较小,沉降中心的沉降梯度大。据调查,特殊的地质环境是该区地面沉降发育的基础条件,地下水超采、大规模工程扰动是诱发和加剧地面沉降的外在动力。     

Late Holocene coastal-plain evolution of the Netherlands: the role of natural preconditions in human-induced sea ingressions

This paper demonstrates the decisive role of natural preconditions on the formation of large late Holocene sea ingressions in peaty coastal plains along the North Sea’s southern shores. Geological and archaeological evidence shows that these sea ingressions (expansion of new tidal systems) were mainly caused by land subsidence, which occurred due to intensified agricultural use of artificially drained peatlands since the Late Iron Age (250–12 BC). This made the coastal plain sensitive to storm-surge ingression through weak spots, e.g., at the location of existing creeks, in the coastline.Using The Netherlands as a case study, we show that natural preconditions (i.e., the geological setting at the time of ingression) played a key role in the pacing and extent of tidal area expansion. Ingressive tidal systems eventually reached most far inland in coastal segments with wide peaty back-barrier plains. In contrast, sea ingression formation was hampered in coastal segments with well-developed natural ingression-protecting geomorphic features (e.g., beach-barriers, supratidal levees). Feedback mechanisms, such as additional peat subsidence by loading of sediment imported into the new tidal area, caused further tidal volume increase and created accommodation space for tidal deposits. These combined effects caused irreversible sea ingression over large areas that consequently became unsuitable for habitation for many centuries.Improved understanding of such sea-ingression mechanisms and their facilitating conditions are essential for the assessment of the sensitivity of many densely populated coastal plains, which experience major human-induced subsidence, eventually leading to coastal plain drowning.     

Temporal characteristics of aerosol physical properties at Visakhapatnam on the east coast of India during ICARB — Signatures of transport onto Bay of Bengal

Realizing the importance of aerosol physical properties at the adjoining continental and coastal locations in the airmass pathways onto the oceanic region, extensive measurements of aerosol physical properties were made at Visakhapatnam (17.7°N, 83.3°E), an eastern coastal location in peninsular India during the ICARB period. The temporal variations of aerosol optical depth, near surface aerosol mass size distributions and BC mass concentrations show significantly higher aerosol optical depth and near surface mass concentrations during the first and last weeks of April 2007. The mean BC mass fraction in the fine mode aerosol was around 11%. The aerosol back scatter profiles derived from Micro Pulse Lidar indicate a clear airmass subsidence on the days with higher aerosol optical depths and near surface mass fraction. A comparison of the temporal variation of the aerosol properties at Visakhapatnam with the MODIS derived aerosol optical depth along the cruise locations indicates a resemblance in the temporal variation suggesting that the aerosol transport from the eastern coastal regions of peninsular India could significantly affect the aerosol optical properties at the near coastal oceanic regions and that the affect significantly reduced at the farther regions.     

The Glueckstadt Graben, a sedimentary record between the North and Baltic Sea in north Central Europe

The Glueckstadt Graben is one of the deepest post-Permian structures within the Central European Basin system and is located right at its “heart” at the transition from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea and from the Lower Saxony Basin to the Rynkoebing–Fyn High.The Mesozoic to recent evolution is investigated by use of selected seismic lines, seismic flattening and a 3D structural model. A major tectonic event in the latest Middle–Late Triassic (Keuper) was accompanied by strong salt tectonics within the Glueckstadt Graben. At that time, a rapid subsidence took place within the central part, which provides the “core” of the Glueckstadt Graben. The post-Triassic tectonic evolution of the area does not follow the typical scheme of thermal subsidence. In contrast, it seems that there is a slow progressive activation of salt movements triggered by the initial Triassic event. Starting with the Jurassic, the subsidence centre partitioned into two parts located adjacent to the Triassic “core.” In comparison with other areas of the Central European Basin system, the Glueckstadt Graben was not strongly affected by additional Jurassic and Cretaceous events. During the late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, the area around the Glueckstadt Graben was affected by relative uplift with regional erosion of the elevated relief. However, subsidence was reactivated and accelerated during the Cenozoic when a strong subsidence centre developed in the North Sea. During Paleogene and Quaternary–Neogene, the two centres of sedimentation moved gradually towards the flanks of the basin.The data indeed point toward a control of post-Permian evolution by gradual withdrawal of salt triggered by the initial exhaustion along the Triassic subsidence centre. In this sense, the Glueckstadt Graben was formed at least partially as “basin scale rim syncline” during post-Permian times. The present day Hamburger, East and Westholstein Troughs are the actual final state of this long-term process which still may continue and may play a role in terms of young processes and, e.g., for coastal protection.     

Sedimentology, stratigraphy and landscape evolution of a Holocene coastal dune system, Lodbjerg, NW Jutland, Denmark

The stratigraphy and landscape evolution of the Lodbjerg coastal dune system record the interplay of environmental and cultural changes since the Late Neolithic. The modern dunefield forms part of a 40 km long belt of dunes and aeolian sand‐plains that stretches along the west coast of Thy, NW Jutland. The dunefield, which is now stabilized, forms the upper part of a 15–30 m thick aeolian succession. The aeolian deposits drape a glacial landscape or Middle Holocene lake sediments. The aeolian deposits were studied in coastal cliff exposures and their large‐scale stratigraphy was examined by ground‐penetrating radar mapping. The contact between the aeolian and underlying sediments is a well‐developed peaty palaeosol, the top of which yields dates between 2300 BC and 600 BC . Four main aeolian units are distinguished, but there is some lateral stratigraphic variation in relation to underlying topography. The three lower aeolian units are separated by peaty palaeosols and primarily developed as 1–4 m thick sand‐plain deposits; these are interpreted as trailing edge deposits of parabolic dunes that moved inland episodically. Local occurrence of large‐scale cross‐stratification may record the head section of a migrating parabolic dune. The upper unit is dominated by large‐scale cross‐stratification of various types and records cliff‐top dune deposition. The nature of the aeolian succession indicates that the aeolian landscape was characterized by alternating phases of activity and stabilization. Most sand transported inland was apparently preserved. Combined evidence from luminescence dating of aeolian sand and radiocarbon dating of palaeosols indicates that phases of aeolian sand movement were initiated at about 2200 BC , 700 BC and AD 1100. Episodes of inland sand movement were apparently initiated during marked climate shifts towards cooler, wetter and more stormy conditions; these episodes are thought to record increased coastal erosion and strong‐wind reworking of beach and foredune sediments. The intensity, duration and areal importance of these sand‐drift events increased with time, probably reflecting the increasing anthropogenic pressure on the landscape. The formation of the cliff‐top dunes after AD 1800 records the modern retreat of the coastal cliffs.     

Diagenesis and Evolution of the Holocene Coquinite from the Haishan Island,Eastern Guangdong,China

The coastal hard rock with a thickness of over 5 m and a distribution area of nearly 200 ha in the Haishan Island, south China, has long drawn researchers’ attention. However, there were controversies over its formation and classification, and these controversies in turn lead to the dispute of sea level changes and coastal uplift-subsidence of this area. To investigate its diagenesis and evolution, petrographic analysis, elemental geochemistry, isotopic analysis, and radiocarbon dating were used in the present study. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the deposition of the Haishan Coquinite commenced in the mid Holocene and lasted to ~600 a B.P. Petrographic analysis shows that the Haishan Coquinite is cemented by low-Mg calcite, indicating that the cementation occurred in a meteoric environment. The elemental geochemistry and isotopic values demonstrate that the coquinite suffered strong leaching, which was thought to be responsible for the meteoric cementation of the coquinite. According to these results, the diagenesis of the coquinite is revealed: deposition of the Haishan Coquinite commenced in the mid Holocene in a shoal environment, initial cementation occurred and cement may be high-Mg calcite or aragonite; latterly the coquinite exposed to meteoric environment as a result of lowering of relative sea level, and the cement altered to low-Mg, which took the morphologies of bladed calcite rim and equant spar. A four-stage evolution model is proposed: (1) deposition stage, (2) initial cementation, (3) exposure to and cementation in meteoric environment, and (4) erosion stage. The published reports indicate that the hard rock should be designated as coquinite. Based on these studies, mid-Holocene sea level in this area was discussed, and the Haishan Island was proposed to uplift with a rate of ~5 mm/a in the last ~600 a.     

复杂因素影响下的福州市地面沉降时空演化分析

地面沉降是福州市的主要地质灾害之一,自20世纪中期以来就有监测资料显示福州市存在地面沉降问题。本文基于永久散射体雷达干涉测量技术（IPTA）,处理了福州市2008~2014年间多时相、高分辨率TerraSAR-X数据,对福州市6年时间的地面沉降进行监测分析,根据研究区地面沉降历史、建设发展现状及沉降异常区分布,着重分析了复杂因素影响下福州市地面沉降的时空变化规律。结果表明:福州市总体年均沉降率-15 mm ·a-1左右,存在多个明显的快速沉降区;与1960~1990年的监测资料对比发现,沉降中心由地热温泉区向工程密集建设区转移;较大沉降区以快速线性沉降为主;地面沉降特征的变化受到多种复杂因素叠加影响,导致地面沉降空间扩张、速率加剧。该研究成果可为福州市或其他沿海城市地面沉降风险评估、地面沉降防控等提供一定的科学依据和参考。     

Lagoon subsidence and tsunami on the West Coast of New Zealand

Sediment core and trench data from a coastal lagoon on the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand are used to investigate evidence for co-seismic subsidence and associated tsunami inundation. Physical data are used to document a salt marsh soil buried  80 cm below the modern sediment surface that is locally covered by a gravelly sand bed. The sediment record also contains geochemical and biological (diatom and foram) evidence for abrupt changes in salinity of lagoon waters that link to subsidence, tsunami flooding and to the open versus closed state of the lagoon tidal entrance. At the local scale, these relationships allow for separation of tsunami evidence from other agents of environmental change in the lagoon. We also propose a conceptual connection between these local changes and regional drivers of landscape development, most notably major earthquakes and resultant pulses in sediment supply to the coast.     

Tectono–Thermal Evolution, Hydrocarbon Filling and Accumulation Phases of the Hari Sag, in the Yingen–Ejinaqi Basin, Inner Mongolia, Northern China

This work restored the erosion thickness of the top surface of each Cretaceous formations penetrated by the typical well in the Hari sag, and simulated the subsidence burial history of this well with software BasinMod. It is firstly pointed out that the tectonic subsidence evolution of the Hari sag since the Cretaceous can be divided into four phases: initial subsidence phase, rapid subsidence phase,uplift and erosion phase, and stable slow subsidence phase. A detailed reconstruction of the tectonothermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation histories of typical well was undertaken using the EASY R_0% model, which is constrained by vitrinite reflectance(R_0) and homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions. In the rapid subsidence phase, the peak period of hydrocarbon generation was reached at c.a.105.59 Ma with the increasing thermal evolution degree. A concomitant rapid increase in paleotemperatures occurred and reached a maximum geothermal gradient of about 43-45℃/km. The main hydrocarbon generation period ensued around 105.59-80.00 Ma and the greatest buried depth of the Hari sag was reached at c.a. 80.00 Ma, when the maximum paleo-temperature was over 180℃.Subsequently, the sag entered an uplift and erosion phase followed by a stable slow subsidence phase during which the temperature gradient, thermal evolution, and hydrocarbon generation decreased gradually. The hydrocarbon accumulation period was discussed based on homogenization temperatures of inclusions and it is believed that two periods of rapid hydrocarbon accumulation events occurred during the Cretaceous rapid subsidence phase. The first accumulation period observed in the Bayingebi Formation(K_1 b) occurred primarily around 105.59-103.50 Ma with temperatures of 125-150℃. The second accumulation period observed in the Suhongtu Formation(K_1 s) occurred primarily around84.00-80.00 Ma with temperatures of 120-130℃. The second is the major accumulation period, and the accumulation mainly occurred in the Late Cretaceous. The hydrocarbon accumulation process was comprehensively controlled by tectono-thermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation history. During the rapid subsidence phase, the paleo temperature and geothermal gradient increased rapidly and resulted in increasing thermal evolution extending into the peak period of hydrocarbon generation,which is the key reason for hydrocarbon filling and accumulation.     

基于Morlet小波技术的北京平原地面沉降周期性分析

北京市地面沉降自20世纪60年代发现以来一直呈快速发展的趋势。不均匀地面沉降导致建筑物开裂、地基下沉,损害地下管道工程等基础设施,威胁城市安全。为了研究地面沉降发展的特征,分析其演化趋势,本文选取2011—2014年的27景Radarsat-2数据,采用干涉点目标分析技术,获取该时段北京平原区地面沉降时序监测信息;在此基础上,结合Morlet小波分析方法,根据相干点密度差异选取4个典型地面沉降区,分析其地面沉降多尺度演变特征。结果表明：地面沉降速率在空间分布上存在差异性,最大沉降速率为162.70 mm/a,年均沉降速率50.08 mm/a;地面沉降在时间域具有明显的局部周期性变化特征。在28 T （1 T表示1个24 d的时间段）的时间尺度下,存在着约13.3月的时间周期,不同位置还存在不同的不稳定震荡周期。     

中国东部晚第四纪海侵的新构造背景

中国东部沉降海岸及近海钻孔研究表明,第四纪大部分时间里,福建－岭南隆起带基本阻挡了海水大规模进入东海－黄海盆地,约在１６０ｋａ ＢＰ已有低海相性的海侵出现,但是自末次间冰期以来才开始发生大规模海侵,而此时青藏高原正以空前的速率隆升。     

Long-term groundwater storage changes and land subsidence development in the North China Plain (1971–2015)

The North China Plain (NCP) has been suffering from groundwater storage (GWS) depletion and land subsidence for a long period. This paper collects data on GWS changes and land subsidence from in situ groundwater-level measurements, literature, and satellite observations to provide an overview of the evolution of the aquifer system during 1971–2015 with a focus on the sub-regional variations. It is found that the GWS showed a prolonged declining rate of ?17.8?±?0.1 mm/yr during 1971–2015, with a negative correlation to groundwater abstraction before year ~2000 and a positive correlation after ~2000. Statistical correlations between subsidence rate and the GWS anomaly (GWSA), groundwater abstraction, and annual precipitation show that the land subsidence in three sub-regions (Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei) represents different temporal variations due to varying driver factors. Continuous drought caused intensive GWS depletion (?76.1?±?6.5 mm/yr) and land subsidence in Beijing during 1999–2012. Negative correlations between total groundwater abstraction and land subsidence exhibited after the 1980s indicate that it may be questionable to infer subsidence from regional abstraction data. Instead, the GWSA generally provides a reliable correlation with subsidence. This study highlights the spatio-temporal variabilities of GWS depletion and land subsidence in the NCP under natural and anthropogenic impacts, and the importance of GWS changes for understanding land subsidence development.     

Estimation of land subsidence caused by loss of smectite-interlayer water in shallow aquifer systems

Traditionally, land subsidence that results from groundwater over-pumping has often been described by the theory of consolidation. The mechanism of land subsidence due to the dehydration of clay minerals is not well addressed. A model of the “hydration state of smectite”, and a “solid solution model of smectite dehydration”, incorporating a thermodynamic solid solution model and laboratory results concerning clay-water systems of swelling pressure, hydration state and basal spacing in smectite interlayer, are employed to examine the effect of the release of water from the smectite interlayer on land subsidence in the coastal area of the Chou-Shui River alluvial fan and the Yun Lin offshore industrial infrastructure complex in Taiwan. The results indicate that 9.56–22.80% of the total cumulative land subsidence to a depth of 300 m is consistent with smectite dehydration following the over-pumping of groundwater. This dehydration-related land subsidence occurred to a depth of 0–60 m, with subsidence due to smectite dehydration accounting for 6.20–13.32% of the primary consolidation. Additionally, the total amount of subsidence resulting from both smectite dehydration and primary consolidation is consistent with the subsidence observed in the field. This study reveals that smectite dehydration appears to be important in assessing and predicting land subsidence in shallow aquifer systems.