in northern Holland, discovered in 1959, was the biggest domestic source of gas within Europe, and the foundation on which the original European gas system had been built. It still ranks among the top ten gas fields in the world. But its days are numbered. Owing to its particular geology, production over many years has led to subsidence, sinking of the topsoil, which has triggered tremors and earthquakes, causing cracks and damage in houses. The Dutch government has imposed severe restrictions on production and a likely total shutdown by 2022.
