Large Scale Water Consumption in California may trigger earthquakes.

California

   Over recent years scientific community becomes increasingly concerned about the forces that play an important role in elevating California's mighty Sierra Nevada and central coastal ranges, which has lead to an increased number of earthquakes. 

   A group of scientists has carried extensive research in the area in order to identify the reason for the occurrence of earthquakes. They published a new theory in Los Angeles Times, in which they express the opinion that quakes are caused by pumping groundwater in the Central Valley. This evidence suggests that human activity may play an important role in the rise of rate for earthquake occurrence. Due to the pumping of groundwater in the Central Valley, the mountains closest to California's drought stricken Central Valley are growing at a higher rate. 

   According to Los Angeles Times, groundwater is very heavy and therefore this is associated with depression of the upper crust of the Earth. Pumping groundwater leads to reduction of weight and Earth moves upward and these two factors trigger small earthquakes.  

http://www.naturalnews.com/045372_groundwater_earthquakes_human_activity.html