Chapter 12, section 3 – Water Underground
Permeable
1. Rock and soil that allows water to pass through
the ground.
2. The larger the pores, the easier it is for water to
pass through, such as sand and gravel.
Impermeable
1. Layers underground that water cannot pass
through.
2. Examples are clay and granite.
Saturated zone
1. The area of permeable rock that is totally filled
or saturated with water.
Water table
1. The top of the saturated zone.
Unsaturated zone
1. The soil and rock layers above the water table.
2. The pores contain pockets of air as well as
water.
Springs
1. A location where the water table is close to the
surface.
2. Water bubbles out of the ground or flows
through cracks in the rock.
Aquifer
1. An underground layer of rock or sediment that
holds water.
2. Can range in size from a small area, to an area
that covers several states.
Wells
1. A method of getting groundwater by drilling
below the water table.
2. Today, pumps are used to bring water to the
surface.
Artesian well
1. Water in an artesian well comes to the surface
because of pressure in the aquifer.
2. Water is trapped between two layers of
impermeable rock. Pressure from the rock
pushing down on the water forces it to the
surface.