FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Groundwater Trivia Quiz

You might know a thing or two about rocks (geology) but how much do you know about the science of hydrogeology, that is, underground water or groundwater?

A multiple-choice quiz by GAMM. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
GAMM

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
138,054

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1639

Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (7/10), Guest 192 (5/10), Guest 75 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Rock or sediment that contains groundwater is called an ...? Hint

Aquifer

Aqualith

Aqueduct

Aquifuge

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What term describes the infiltration of water from the surface to the water table? Hint

Through-flow

Permeation

Base-flow

Recharge

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. If water flows naturally to the ground surface in a water bore (or well) due to hydrostatic pressure, it is considered "sub-artesian".

True

False

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. What is the name for the lowering of the water table by pumping, to allow excavation of a mine? Hint

Dehydrating

Depressurising

Dewatering

Desaturating

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. The percentage of water that can be stored in a rock, compared to the aggregate volume of the whole rock, is called what? Hint

Permeability

Storativity

Transmissivity

Porosity

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What is another word for the unsaturated zone above the water table? Hint

Phreatic zone

Vadose zone

Conductive zone

Darcian zone

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The thickness of an aquifer may be represented on what kind of a map? Hint

Isobar

Isopach

Isohyet

Isobath

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What is another term for "water table"? Hint

Confining surface

Transition zone

Saturation point

Piezometric surface

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What is the term for the removal of groundwater from an aquifer? Hint

Base-load

Retardation

Discharge

Desorption

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Pumping of large amounts of groundwater does NOT cause land subsidence (sinking).

True

False

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Most Recent Scores

Nov 09 2024 : Guest 174: 7/10
Oct 02 2024 : Guest 192: 5/10
Sep 24 2024 : Guest 75: 5/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Rock or sediment that contains groundwater is called an ...?

Answer: Aquifer

There are a number of other acceptable answers, such as aquitard (rock that slows groundwater flow) and aquiclude (rock that contains water, but absorbs and transmits it slowly). An aquifuge does not transmit or absorb water.

2. What term describes the infiltration of water from the surface to the water table?

Answer: Recharge

Recharge can occur from the infiltration of rainfall, river/pond leakage, or even artificially by injection wells or specially designed recharge pits.

3. If water flows naturally to the ground surface in a water bore (or well) due to hydrostatic pressure, it is considered "sub-artesian".

Answer: False

The term is "artesian". In sub-artesian bores, the water can rise but does not reach the ground surface.

4. What is the name for the lowering of the water table by pumping, to allow excavation of a mine?

Answer: Dewatering

Dewatering is a vital consideration for any mine that must excavate below the water table, and can be quite costly to run 24/7.

5. The percentage of water that can be stored in a rock, compared to the aggregate volume of the whole rock, is called what?

Answer: Porosity

A more useful term is "specific yield". This is similar to porosity, but does not include the amount of water that cannot be drained due to capillary forces.

6. What is another word for the unsaturated zone above the water table?

Answer: Vadose zone

The vadose zone may still contain water, but is not completely saturated.

7. The thickness of an aquifer may be represented on what kind of a map?

Answer: Isopach

An isobar map shows air pressure, isohyet shows rainfall, an isobath shows ocean depth.

8. What is another term for "water table"?

Answer: Piezometric surface

Another term is "potentiometric surface", but this is usually reserved for artesian aquifers.

9. What is the term for the removal of groundwater from an aquifer?

Answer: Discharge

Examples of discharge are from bore pumping, baseflow to streams, or via springs. Transpiration by plants, and evaporation are also considered methods of discharge.

10. Pumping of large amounts of groundwater does NOT cause land subsidence (sinking).

Answer: False

It is true. The release of hydrostatic pressure can cause land subsidence in some areas, and is often the cause of massive structural damage to urban areas.

Source: Author GAMM

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.