Factors Influencing Groundwater Movement

Porosity refers to the size of the pores underground and how much water the soil can hold. The more porous the sediment, the more water it can hold and the more water can move down into the ground.

Permeability refers to the rate of water infiltration into the ground. It determines how fast water can move through the soil. More permeable soils, like sand, can absorb water quickly, while less permeable soils, like clay, take longer to absorb water.

Clay is considered very porous because it can hold a lot of water. However, it is not very permeable because it takes a long time to absorb water.

<p>Sand is considered both porous and permeable because it can hold a lot of water and can absorb it quickly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Limestone is considered very permeable because it can absorb water quickly. However, it is not very porous because it cannot hold as much water as clay or sand.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gravity pulls water down through the ground, causing groundwater to flow from areas of high elevation to areas of low elevation. The downward slope of the water table, called the hydraulic gradient, is determined by gravity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Groundwater moves through open pores in the soil, while surface water moves through channels. Groundwater also moves more slowly than surface water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The three factors that are important to the movement of groundwater are porosity, permeability, and gravity. Porosity determines where groundwater can flow, permeability determines how fast it can get there, and gravity pulls it down the hydraulic gradient.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The factors that influence groundwater movement include porosity, permeability, and gravity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Porosity refers to the amount of water a soil can hold. It affects groundwater movement because the more porous a soil is, the more water it can hold and the easier it is for groundwater to flow through it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The porosity of a soil is determined by the size and shape of its particles. Larger and more open spaces between particles result in higher porosity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Permeability refers to the ability of a material to allow fluids to pass through it. It affects groundwater movement because materials with high permeability, such as sand or gravel, allow water to flow more easily, while materials with low permeability, such as clay, restrict water flow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gravity helps pull groundwater downward, causing it to move towards lower elevation areas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Water moves underground through the spaces between particles in the soil, while on the surface it flows freely in streams, rivers, and brooks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The movement of groundwater depends on the circumstances of the environment, including factors like porosity, permeability, and gravity.</p> Signup and view all the answers