What is most likely to create large areas of land subsidence?

Land subsidence typically occurs when there is a significant decrease in the volume of underground materials, often resulting from the removal of fluids from the subsurface. The extraction of groundwater is a key factor that can lead to large areas of land subsidence.

When groundwater is extracted, especially in large quantities, it creates a vacuum in the underground aquifer as the water is pumped out. This reduction in fluid can cause the surrounding soil and rock to compress, leading to a decrease in the land surface elevation. Over time, as more water is withdrawn and the pressure in the aquifer decreases, this compression can become significant, causing noticeable subsidence.

While volcanic eruptions can alter land surface features, and global warming and the greenhouse effect can impact climate systems and sea levels, they do not directly cause the same kind of localized land sinking that results from groundwater extraction. Therefore, the extraction of groundwater is the primary cause among the options provided.