10 Questions
What is unique about the aquifer system stretching from South Dakota to Texas and from Colorado to Arkansas?
It is one large connected system
What is the result of groundwater being heated by magma underneath?
The production of geysers
Why do natural ecosystems depend on groundwater?
Because it's a source of freshwater for surface water systems
What can happen to the land if too much groundwater is pumped out?
The land can sink, forming sinkholes
What is a cavern?
A large open space underground
What percentage of Earth's liquid freshwater is made up of streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds?
1%
Which type of soil is really good at soaking up water?
Sand
What is the region where the soil is not saturated with water called?
Unsaturated zone
What is the role of groundwater in the water cycle?
It sometimes comes back out above ground in other locations
What is the Ogallala Aquifer an example of?
An underground water reservoir
Study Notes
Groundwater
- Groundwater, or water below the surface, makes up most of Earth's liquid freshwater.
- Only about 1% of Earth's liquid freshwater is above ground, in streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds.
- Groundwater gets underground when rain or snow seeps into the ground, and the type of soil affects how well it absorbs water (e.g., sand is good, clay is poor, rocks are worse).
- The saturated zone is where groundwater completely fills underground spaces, while the unsaturated zone has moisture but doesn't fill all spaces.
The Water Table
- The water table is the boundary between the saturated and unsaturated zones, visible when digging a hole and seeing water fill the bottom.
The Role of Groundwater
- Groundwater is crucial in the water cycle, feeding rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans.
- Aquifers, like the Ogallala Aquifer, store massive amounts of groundwater, taking thousands to millions of years to fill.
- Groundwater acts as a cementing agent, helping form sedimentary rocks by carrying and gluing sediments together.
Geysers and Ecosystems
- Geysers form when groundwater above a near-surface magma source heats up, building pressure and eventually escaping as steam.
- Groundwater supports natural ecosystems, providing freshwater for surface water systems, and is essential for plants and animals.
Human Impact
- We pump groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and other uses, but this can lead to problems, as aquifers take a long time to refill.
- Over-pumping can cause land to sink, creating sinkholes, and dissolves rock to create caves.
Discover the importance of groundwater and its role in Earth's freshwater supply. Learn how water gets underground and the differences in soil absorption.
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