GL 107 Earth Systems Science

K. Hannula

Discussion questions for 10/24/06

1.  Describe what happens to the water table when water is pumped from a well.

When water is pumped from a well, groundwater flows through the surrounding rock towards the well to replace the water that has been pumped out.  If water is pumped out fast enough, the water table around the well will drop in a cone of depression -- the water table will drop most close to the well, and less further from the well.  (See Fig. 5.30, p. 141 in textbook.)

2.  How do you think society should deal with problems related to:

These questions are food for thought (and for discussion that we didn't have time to have).  However, you should know that all of these things are problems related to groundwater, and know a little about how they occur. (See Fig. 5.32 for info about the Ogallala Aquifer.)