GEOG 1HB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 50: Igneous Rock, Porosity, Aquifer

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Geography
• Course: GEOG 1HB3
• Professor: Walter Peace

Document Summary

Porosity is the fluid storage capacity of rock or sediment. Permeability is the ability to transmit that fluid the volume of water that can move through a given cross section area per unit time, can also refer to connectedness of fractures in a nonporous igneous rock. Very fine sediments like clay, typically have low permeability. Very coarse sediments typically have excellent permeability. Aquifer body of sediment that is both porous and permeable, can also be in fractured rocks if the fractures are well-connected. An unconfined aquifer has access to the surface and water can percolate freely from rainfall into the aquifer.