Groundwater and Karst Topography
sinkhole
a depression produced in a region where groundwater has dissolved and removed soluble rock(limestone mostly).; when the ceiling of a cavern collapses.
spring
a flow of groundwater that emerges naturally at the ground surface due to the water table rising.
well
a hole bored(dug below the water table)into the zone of saturation.
permeability
a material's ability to transmit a fluid(water).
stalagmite
a mound or tapering column rising from the floor of a cave, formed of calcium carbonate deposited by dripping water.
cavern
a naturally formed underground chamber.
stalactite
a tapering structure hanging like an icicle from the roof of a cave, formed of calcium carbonate deposited by dripping water.
artesian well
a well drilled through impermeable layers to reach waterunder pressure and capable of rising to the surface without being pumped.
geyser
an intermittent hot spring /fountain in which a column of hot water shoots up with great force at various intervals.
aquiclude
impermeable rock/sediment layers that DO NOT transmit water.
karst topography
landscape that has been shaped by the dissolving power of groundwater in limestone-rich areas.
cone of depression
occurs in an aquifer when groundwater is pumped from a well causing a dip in the water table in the area of the well.
aquifer
permeable rock layers/sediments that transmit water freely.
zone of aeration
the area underground where mostly air fills all of the pore spaces in the rock/sediment; above water table.
zone of saturation
the area underground where water fills all of the pore spaces in the rock/sediment; below water table.
saltwater intrusion
the movement of saline/salt water into freshwater aquifers, which can lead to contamination of drinking water sources.
porosity
the percentage of total volume of rock or sediment that consists of pore (empty/air) space.
water table
the upper limit(top) of the zone of saturation.
groundwater
the water underground in the zone of saturation.
