Aquifer EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Aquifer
An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, or silt) from which groundwater can be extracted using a water well.
Groundwater
Groundwater is water that is stored below the Earth’s surface in openings or voids in rocks and between grains of sand and soil.
It is part of the hydrological cycle, the continual movement of water from the atmosphere to the earth and back to the atmosphere via precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, run off and infiltration .
Precipitation that falls to the ground can either enter bodies of surfacewater, run off the land, be evaporated or soak into the ground.
Excess water not utilised by plants continues to move downwards through empty spaces or cracks in the soil, sand, or rocks until it reaches a layer of rock through which water cannot easily move.
The water then fills the empty spaces and cracks above that layer.
The top of the water in the soil, sand, or rocks is called the water table and the water that fills the empty spaces and cracks is called groundwater .
Water that reaches the groundwater is known as recharge.
Recharge can occur from rain or from water seeping through the beds of rivers, lakes or swamps .
Aquifers
A common misconception is that groundwater occurs in underground rivers or lakes.
In some areas underground streams are found in limestone caves, however, in most cases water is stored in empty spaces and cracks in soil, sand or rock .
The term ‘aquifer’ describes porous rock or soil layers capable of storing and transmitting significant amounts of water.
The geology of an aquifer controls the volume of water that can be stored, the rate of water extraction and the rate of water movement through the aquifer.
Groundwater in the Northern Territory Introduction Groundwater is the largest accessible source of freshwater on Earth.
Large quantities of groundwater are extracted each day from aquifers in the Territory to supply towns and communities, stock, domestic rural needs, mining and irrigation.
In addition to meeting the need of people in the Territory, groundwater also plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystems, such as vegetation communities and wetlands.
With increased development in the Territory comes increase demand for groundwater and an increase in the risks to groundwater quantity and quality.
Appropriate use of groundwater and limiting the potential impact of human activities on groundwater supplies will help ensure the availability of uncontaminated groundwater to meet the needs of the community and the environment.
Aquifer Earthcache
Near GZ you will find a sign where you can learn about this particular Aquifer and help answer the following questions .
1/ What is this the approx flow rate of the water here ?
2/ Where has the water travelled from to get to GZ ?
3/ What is the approx temperature of the water ?
4/ Describe the Geology of the area ?
Feel free to take and post a photo for your log .
Please log your find and email me your answers .
At GZ there is a swimming hole fed by the Aquifer , the temperature is 33 degrees , the water is crystal clear and is popular for taking a dip .
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)