Question

which of the following is a way that humans have altered the hydrologic cycle? a climate change will cause decreased rates of evaporation. b salt water is being used at such a fast rate that supplies may become limited. c as temperatures rise due to climate change, the rate of runoff will decrease. d depletion of groundwater may lead to the sinking of land, known as land subsidence.

Explanation:

• Option A: Climate change actually increases evaporation rates, not decreases.
• Option B: Salt water is abundant and not a major factor in altering the hydrologic cycle in the way described.
• Option C: Rising temperatures due to climate change can increase runoff in some cases (e.g., more intense rainfall events), not decrease.
• Option D: Depletion of groundwater (a part of the hydrologic cycle) can cause land subsidence, which is a human - induced alteration of the hydrologic cycle's impacts on the land.

Answer:

D. Depletion of groundwater may lead to the sinking of land, known as land subsidence.