groundwater – its locales and features chapter 2, part 2 of notes
TRANSCRIPT
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