Earth Science Quiz: Groundwater

Groundwater is water that…

is beneath Earth’s surface

Groundwater flows with

the surface topography

The hydrosphere is water

on and in the earth's crust

97% of water is in the

ocean

Precipitation enters into the ground through

infiltration

Runoff - returned directly to the

oceans (does not infiltrate)

Porosity is the percentage of the total volume of a

rock or sediment that consists of open spaces

Factors of porosity:

Sorting, well-sorted, and poorly-sorted

Sorting is the amount of uniformity in the

size of rock/particle size

Well sorted =

Same size: High porosity

Poorly sorted:

Many sizes: low porosity

Permeability is the ability of a rock or sediment to let fluids pass through

its open spaces/pores that are connected

Impermeable(Aquiclude):

Water cannot flow through

Permeable (Aquifer):

Water can flow through

Zones of Groundwater

Zone of Aeration, Water Table, and Zone of Saturation

Zone of Aeration:

Moist, but pore space mostly filled with air

Water Table: The upper boundary of the zone of saturation

Depth depends on local conditions

Fluctuates with seasonal & other weather conditions

Zone of Saturation:

Pore space is completely filled with water

Wells are hole that is dug below the level of the water table and through

which groundwater is brought to Earth’s surface

Artesian Well:

well through which water flows freely without being pumped

Cone of Depression

pumping too much water out

Spring is the natural flow of groundwater to Earth’s surface in places where

the ground surface dips below the water table

Hot Spring: hot groundwater that is at least 37 o C and

rises to the surface before cooling

Geyser is a hot spring that periodically erupt from

surface pools or through small vents

Examples of Geysers:

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

Groundwater problems:

Groundwater depletion, pollution, and saltwater intrusion

Groundwater depletion:

Using faster than it can recharge

Saltwater intrusion:

Saltwater can enter if near the ocean