Groundwater Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to groundwater, including definitions and explanations of important concepts.

Groundwater

Water stored in rock and soils below Earth’s surface.

Porosity

Volume of empty space relative to the volume of sediment particles.

Permeability

Measure of how well a fluid flows through a network of pores and cracks in sedimentary materials.

Water Table

Boundary between the zone of aeration and saturation.

Zone of Aeration

Sediment is under-saturated and pore spaces contain both air and water.

Zone of Saturation

Sediment has all pore spaces filled with water.

Aquifer

Rock body or layer of sediment that easily transports and stores water.

Aquitard

Rock body or layer of sediment that allows the transport and storage of water but not easily.

Aguiclude

Rock body or layer of sediment that does not allow the transport or storage of water.

Cone of Depression

Cone-shaped depression near wells caused by water being removed faster than it can be replenished.

Salt Water Intrusion

Contamination process where salty groundwater rises to fill gaps created by the removal of freshwater.

Recharge

Replenishment of groundwater by the downward movement of precipitation.

Groundwater Discharge

Removal of groundwater by upward motion through springs or wells.

Hot Spring

Heated groundwater rises to the surface quickly and naturally creating a pool of hot water.

Fumarole

Steam vent where heated groundwater is converted to steam.

Geyser

Cyclic and explosive emissions of super-heated groundwater.

Speleogenesis

Origin of caves through chemical weathering as rainwater moves down through the ground.