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Chapter 17 Geology
chapter 17 geology
21
Geology
Undergraduate 1
12/01/2009

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Term
groundwater
Definition
represents the largest reservoir of fresh water that is readily available to humans.
Term
the dissolving action of groundwater produces
Definition
caves and sinkholes
Term
groundwater is an equalizer of..
Definition
streamflow
Term
groundwater is water that completely fills...
Definition
the pore spaces in sediment ad rock in the subsurface zone of saturation.
Term
the upper limit of this zone is the
Definition
water table
Term
the zone of aeration
Definition
above the water table where the soil, sediment, and rock are not saturated.
Term
the interaction between streams and groundwater takes place in one of three ways...
Definition
1. streams gain water from the inflow of groundwater 2. they lose water through the streambed to the groundwater system or 3. they do both, gaining in some sections and losing in others.
Term
the interaction between streams and groundwater takes place in one of three ways...
Definition
1. streams gain water from the inflow of groundwater 2. they lose water through the streambed to the groundwater system or 3. they do both, gaining in some sections and losing in others.
Term
aquitards
Definition
materials with very small pore spaces hinder or prevent groundwater movement
Term
aquifers
Definition
consist of materials with larger pore spaces that are permeable and transmit groundwater freely.
Term
the primary factors influencing the velocity of groundwater flow are
Definition
the slope of the water table and the permeability of the aquifer.
Term
springs
Definition
occur whenever the water table intersects the land surface and a natural flow of groundwater results.
Term
wells
Definition
openings bored into the zone of saturation, withdraw groundwater and create roughly conical depressions in the water table known as cones of depression.
Term
artesian wells
Definition
occur when water rises above the level at which it was initially encountered.
Term
when groundwater circulates at great depths, it becomes heated. if it rises, the water may emerge as...
Definition
a hot spring
Term
geysers occur when...
Definition
groundwater is heated in underground chambers, expands, and some water quickly changes to steam, causing the geyser to erupt.
Term
what is the source of heat for most hot springs and geysers?
Definition
hot igneous rock
Term
what are 4 of the current environmental problems involving groundwater?
Definition
1.overuse by intense irrigation 2.subsidence caused by groundwater withdrawal 3. saltwater contamination and 4. contamination by pollutants.
Term
how do caverns form?
Definition
in limestone at or below the water table when acidic groundwater dissolves rock along lines of weakness, such as joints and bedding planes.
Term
the various dripstone features found in caverns are collectively called..
Definition
speleothems
Term
landscapes that to a large extent have been shaped by the dissolving power of groundwater exhibit...
Definition
karst topography, an irregular terrain punctuated with many depressions, called sink-holes or sinks.
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