Dataset for "A Multi-continental Synthesis of High-volume MAR Systems Effectiveness for Land Subsidence Mitigation"

Vertical land motion (VLM) for 12 High-volumne Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Systems.Abstract: Accelerating groundwater depletion driven by rising water demand and climate variability poses mounting challenges to global water security. As aquifers are overexploited and compacted, widespread land subsidence threatens communities, infrastructure stability, and ecosystem sustainability. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), by artificially replenishing groundwater storage and alleviating effective stress within aquifer systems, offers a promising pathway to restore balance and enhance long-term resilience. However, empirical evidence for MAR's effectiveness in mitigating subsidence across diverse geological and climatic settings remains limited. Here, we present a multi-continental synthesis of MAR performance for land subsidence mitigation at 12 high-volume sites across 10 countries using satellite radar. Average vertical land motion (VLM) rates varied across MAR sites, ranging from +4.0 mm/year uplift (Orange County, USA) to -2.4 mm/year subsidence (El Carracillo, Spain). Four sites exhibited net uplift, three showed mixed deformation responses, and five continued to experience net subsidence despite ongoing recharge operations. Spatio-temporal analysis reveals moderate to strong correlations (r = 0.5–0.9) between land elevation changes and variations in groundwater levels, drought severity, and regional terrestrial water storage. We distinguish aquifer compaction trends from elastic loading signals using independent component analysis, highlighting that both local aquifer pressurization and broader basin-scale hydrological processes influence MAR effectiveness. We show that MAR effectiveness is governed by a hierarchy of controls, where aquifer architecture constrains the potential for recovery, hydroclimatic forcing sets regional boundary conditions, and operational intensity modulates local response. Sites with responsive geological conditions achieved measurable uplift even under water stress, while unfavorable geology limited effectiveness regardless of recharge intensity. These findings provide empirical evidence for the strategic implementation of MAR and highlight the importance of integrated watershed-scale management under intensifying climate pressures.