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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
1641

Last 3 plays: Guest 192 (5/10), Guest 73 (5/10), Guest 174 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

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

Aqueduct

Aquifuge

Aqualith

Aquifer

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Question 2 of 10

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

Permeation

Through-flow

Recharge

Base-flow

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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

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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

Depressurising

Dewatering

Desaturating

Dehydrating

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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

Porosity

Transmissivity

Storativity

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Question 6 of 10

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

Darcian zone

Phreatic zone

Vadose zone

Conductive zone

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Question 7 of 10

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

Isobar

Isobath

Isohyet

Isopach

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Question 8 of 10

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

Transition zone

Confining surface

Piezometric surface

Saturation point

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Question 9 of 10

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

Base-load

Retardation

Discharge

Desorption

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Question 10 of 10

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

True

False

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 25 2024 : Guest 192: 5/10
Nov 23 2024 : Guest 73: 5/10
Nov 09 2024 : Guest 174: 7/10

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.
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