Potentially dangerous 'earth fissures' surface as a symptom of long-term aquifer depletion

CEDAR CITY — Over the past several months, Tyler Knudsen has spent much of his time around southern Utah, studying long, deep cracks in the ground. "This is a good 10 feet deep right here," Knudsen said, pointing to a gaping hole below. "They often extend all the way down to the aquifer and even below the water table," Knudsen explained.