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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
1633

Last 3 plays: Guest 196 (7/10), Guest 196 (2/10), Guest 202 (9/10).

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

Through-flow

Recharge

Base-flow

Permeation

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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

Dehydrating

Depressurising

Dewatering

Desaturating

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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

Storativity

Transmissivity

Porosity

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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

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Question 7 of 10

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

Isobath

Isobar

Isopach

Isohyet

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Question 8 of 10

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

Piezometric surface

Saturation point

Confining surface

Transition zone

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Question 9 of 10

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

Discharge

Desorption

Retardation

Base-load

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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

Apr 25 2024 : Guest 196: 7/10
Apr 24 2024 : Guest 196: 2/10
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 202: 9/10
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 24: 10/10
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 115: 4/10
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 96: 4/10
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 175: 9/10
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 113: 7/10
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 115: 6/10

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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