GROUNDWATER – IT’S LOCALES AND FEATURES

Chapter 2, Part 2 of Notes

How does water get there?1.Infiltration & percolation of precipitation2.Magma coming to Earth’s surface releases trapped moisture as well

Groundwater – any water located in the ground’s pore space between rock and soil

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:8100/legacy/college/strahler/0471238007/animations/ch16_animations/animation1.html

What factors affect groundwater?

1. Porosity – the % or amount of pore space b/w the various particles that comprise the soil

2. Permeability – rock and soil’s ability to allow water to pass through it or not

Where can groundwater be found?

zone of aeration

zone of saturation

water table

aquifer

wells

artesian wells

springs

geysers

Why does groundwater matter to us?

How do we use it?

Do we overuse the groundwater?

Are we responsible for groundwater?

Zone of aeration – upper area of ground full of air in pore space (area above the water table)

Zone of saturation – lower area of ground full of water in the pore space (area below the water table

Water table – line b/w the 2 zones, very top of the groundwater supply (constantly changing!)

Aquifer – layer of impermeable rock that lets water flow beneath it

Well, hmm, how do wells work?Well - deep source of groundwater (electricity required)

Artesian well – free flowing water, due to being trapped b/w 2 rock layers

Water that spring forth!

Springs - in hilly areas, where the w.t. meets Earth’s surface

(most are cold)

Hot springs – underground spring that is heated by magma near Earth’s surface (very theraputic)

… from North Carolina to Japan to Yellowstone

Geyser – a periodically erupting hot spring

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1403/es1403page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/ugb_geysers.htm

WHAT CAN GROUNDWATER CREATE?

Awesome groundwater features!

Caves – underground opening formed by acidic groundwater that dissolves limestone

Papoose Room and Witch’s Finger of Carlsbad Caverns National Park , New Mexico

Sinkholes – depression formed when the roof of a cave that is near Earth’s surface collapses

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.uwec.edu/jolhm/eh/below/Images/sinkhole%2520BIG.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.uwec.edu/jolhm/eh/below/Matt%2520Below%2520-%2520GEOG%2520361-sinkhole.htm&usg=__f_TSpVbvOWE3aZz81mQwJvp8ztg=&h=333&w=540&sz=41&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=peHxUrEOa4yPMM:&tbnh=81&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsinkhole%2B%2Bimages%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4TSHA_enUS317%26sa%3DG%26um%3D1

http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/earthguide/diagrams/groundwater/index.html

Overall review of groundwater

DOES WATER HAVE ISSUES?Essential concerns of our freshwater supplies!

What are the three main types of flooding events?•Traditional – due 2 much rains & snow melt, seasonal, expected in spring•Coastal – due 2 coastal storms & events such as hurricanes and tsunamis, have warning•Flash – due 2 sudden heavy rain, a quick change in weather, or natural/manmade dam/levee breaks, end up most costly & deadly b/c of no warning

Flooding – when the w.t. is above ground and 0 percolation occurs

“ NOW YOU ARE IN THE KNOW, SO PROTECT THE GROUNDWATER DOWN BELOW…”

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/groundwater/education/animation.aspx