Groundwater
Infiltration of surface water-depends on:
Porosity and Permeability of the ground
Climate (rainfall)
Slope
Vegetation
Unsaturated Zone: pore spaces have water and air
Capillary Fringe
WATER TABLE
Saturated zone: all pores FILLED with water
Bottom of saturated zone-depth at which all pores are closed from excess pressure
Sedimentary rocks-pore space between grains
Igneous rocks: fractures (like here in HI with the lava flows)
All rocks: fractures due to faulting
Water table generally mimics topography
WT moves with changes in rainfall/seasons
Aquifers: high porosity and permeability-fill with water
Aquiclude: low permeability no water flow
Perched Aquifers: above the regional WT
Confined aquifers: impermeable rocks above and below aquifer-water under pressure
Artesian Well/Oasis: water comes to the surface on its own from a confined aquifer
Springs-water table intersects the surface
Geysers: water heated by magma-steam explosions
Dissolution by groundwater in LIMESTONE settings-KARST topography
Sinkholes, Caves
Stactites, stalagmites, columns
Groundwater removal: cone of depression, salt water intrusion, sinkholes, ground
subsidence