Why do structures big and small sink into the ground, and what can we do to stop it?

Before the so-called Starbase supported crazy test launches of the Starship spaceflight program, it was just a pile of dirt. After nearly two years, they hauled most of that soil back off the site for disposal. It might seem like a curious way to start a construction project, but foundations are critically important. Building that giant dirt pile was a clever way to prevent these facilities from sinking into the ground over time.

Errata:
1. The SpaceX South Texas Launch Site is located at Boca Chica near South Padre Island (not near Boca Chica on South Padre as stated in the intro).

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