Groundwater

Water found beneath the surface of Earth is extremely important. Groundwater is vital to human survival because it is the main source for readily available fresh water on Earth. Groundwater originates from rain, snow, sleet, and other forms of precipitation. The rain absorbs into the ground and flows deeper until it reaches a solid, impermeable rock surface. In addition to being a vital source for fresh water, groundwater can affect the rock underground and create new geologic formations. It may even erupt from the ground in the most spectacular of fashions.

Essential Questions

• What is groundwater, and how is it extracted from beneath the surface?
• What are the parts of the groundwater system?