Arizona Earth Fissure Viewer

Earth fissures are open surface fractures that may be as much as a mile in length, up to 15 ft wide, and 10s of feet deep. In Arizona, earth fissures form as a result of land subsidence driven by groundwater withdrawal. The Arizona Geological Survey has mapped and reported earth fissures throughout south-central and southeastern Arizona since the 1990s and published earth fissure study area maps in accordance with Arizona Revised Statute § 27-152.01(3) since 2007. Mapping of fissures involves incorporating mapped earth fissures from previous studies, examining remotely sensed subsidence data and aerial imagery, and on-site field mapping using high-precision GPS receivers. For additional information on the origin and impacts of earth fissures and free PDF maps of earth fissure study areas, visit the Arizona Geological Survey’s Earth Fissure Center.

Fissure Types

	Reported/Unconfirmed Fissure
	Discontinuous Fissure
	Continuous Fissure
	Study Area Boundary

Disclaimer

THE STATE OF ARIZONA HAS MADE A REASONABLE EFFORT TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THIS MAP WHEN IT WAS PRODUCED, BUT ERRORS MAY BE PRESENT AND THE STATE OF ARIZONA DOES NOT GUARANTEE ITS ACCURACY. THE MAP SUPPLEMENTS, AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR, A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION OF PROPERTY FOR DEFECTS AND CONDITIONS.