Water’s Effect on Earth

The Hydrologic Cycle Water evaporates at the Earth’s surface. Vapor rises into the air. Condenses to form clouds. Precipitates back to Earth

Water and Stress

Groundwater Most fresh water exists underground. Water percolates through the soil and down into the rocks beneath. Groundwater is ALL water that is beneath the Earth’s surface.

Aquifers An aquifer is a body of rock or sediment that stores groundwater and allows the flow of groundwater. Groundwater can also dissolve rock formations, filling vast caves with water, creating underground lakes.

Permeability Permeability = fluids pass through it open spaces or pores of a rock or sediment The most productive aquifers usually form in permeable materials, such as sandstone, limestone, or layers of sand and gravel.

Erosion – the dissolving or carrying away of sediment by movement of outside force Water Wind Ice (to some degree)

Karst Terrain Found in much of Northern Arkansas Area where dissolution is main type of weathering event Sinkholes are common Form irregular topography or ground features Karst Terrain

Sinkholes