An artesian aquifer is a confined aquifer containing groundwater that
will flow upward through a well, called an artesian well,
without the need for pumping. Water may even reach the ground
surface if the natural pressure is high enough, in which case the
well is called a flowing artesian well.
An aquifer is a layer of soft rock, like limestone or sandstone, that absorbs water from an inlet path.
Porous stone is confined between impermeable rocks or clay. This
keeps the pressure high, so when the water finds an outlet, it
overcomes gravity and goes up instead of down. The recharging of
aquifers happens when the water table at its recharge zone is at a higher
elevation than the head of the well.
source: Wikipedia
The header coordinates will show you the Oasis Ksar Ghilane, which is formed by an artesian
well.
An oasis is an isolated area of vegetation in a desert,
typically surrounding a spring or similar water source.
People who live in an oasis must manage land and water use
carefully. Fields must be irrigated to grow plants like dates,
figs, olives and apricots. The most important plant in an oasis is
the date palm which forms the upper layer. These palm trees provide
shade for smaller trees like peach trees or pomegranate trees,
which form the middle layer. By growing plants in different layers,
the farmers make best use of the soil and water. Many vegetables
are also grown and some cereals, such as wheat, barley and millet
are grown where there is more moisture.
To log this Earthcache please send me an e-mail with the answers
of the following questions.
1. What is the average temperature of the water in the public
pool?
2. Artesian wells are named after which former french
province?
3. On the wall of a "Fast Food Restaurant" beside the pool you
will find the name of an african capital city. What is the name of
the corresponding african country?
4. Please take also a photo from you in the public pool of the
oasis near the header coordinates and post it with your log.
