Groundwater

Question 1

How much water is located beneath Earth’s surface?

Answer 1

More than in lakes, rivers, reservoirs combined. Most is within a few thousand feet of the surface. Amount and depth varies.

Question 2

3 basic stages of water cycle

Answer 2

1. rain falls to earth; runs to oceans and lakes
2. water evaporates
3. rain falls to Earth (cycle continues)

25% water from precip. runs into oceans. 15% evaporates and falls later

Question 3

4 factors that affect the amount of groundwater in an area

Answer 3

1. amount of rain/snow
2. slope of land
3. type and quantity of rock
4. type and quantity of plants

Question 4

Permeable rock

Answer 4

Rock that allows water to pass through the pores between the grains (sand, gravel, sandstone)

Question 5

Impermeable rock

Answer 5

Rocks that have pore spaces too small to allow water to pass through (granite; shale)

Question 6

Permeability rate

Answer 6

Rate at which water can pass through a porous material like soil or rock

Question 7

Infiltration Rate

Answer 7

Speed at which water moves through the ground to become part of the groundwater

Question 8

Zone of Aeration

Answer 8

The regolith from Earth’s surface down to the water table where water only partially fills pores in the soil, rock, etc. This zone lies about Zone of Sat.

Question 9

Zone of Saturation

Answer 9

Level beneath the surface of the Earth; porous soil/ rock area completely filled (saturated) with water. Zone lies below zone of A.

Question 10

Water table

Answer 10

Top level of the Zone of Sat. Where water table intersects the surface of the Earth, a river or a lake is present

Question 11

Spring

Answer 11

flow of groundwater that emerges naturally as a ground surface, usually where an impermeable rock layer intersects the surface of the Earth

Question 12

Geyser

Answer 12

Network of underground water channels heated by magma. Boiling water in deeper parts of channels eventually causes an eruption at surface (like Old Faithful in Yellowstone). Many geysers occur in New Zealand because of volcanic activity

Question 13

Artesian Well

Answer 13

When water well intersects a pressurized aquifer, water will rise in that well to same pressure. If it has a larger pressure than atmosphere, the water will form a fountain at surface of Earth

Question 14

Aquifer

Answer 14

Porous and permeable rock unit that transports water easily and is bounded top and bottom by impermeable layers

Question 15

Sinkhole

Answer 15

Large round depression in ground usually in limestone. Formed by action of carbonic acid at Earth’s surface or from the collapse of a cavern ceiling close to surface. Streams can disappear into one and reappear from another

Question 16

Cavern

Answer 16

• Large chamber in limestone
• Naturally hollowed out by dissolved limestone, usually dissolved by groundwater
• Network of passages and cracks; forms along planes of weakness or fractures in the limestone

Question 17

Stalactite

Answer 17

In limestone caves, a large calcite deposit that resembles an icile hanging from the ceiling

Question 18

Stalagmite

Answer 18

In limestone caves, a calcite deposit on the floor that rises in cone shape (when these meet stalactites they form a column)

Question 19

Petrified wood

Answer 19

When groundwater soaks wood buried in sand, the wood is replaced with silica slowly and becomes rock. It still resembles the original wood form.

Question 20

Erosion

Answer 20

Process by which rock is broken down and weathered rock is carried away. Agents of erosion can be water, wind, sand, and ice.

Question 21

Compare hard water to soft water

Answer 21

Hard water contains many dissolves minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium); clogs pipes and leaves bathtub ring

Soft water contains few dissolves minerals (rainwater for example) and tastes better