What term describes rock that contains numerous pores that store groundwater?

What term describes rock that contains numerous pores that store groundwater?

• A. Porous
• B. Permeable
• C. Aquifer
• D. Shale

Answer: (A)

Porosity describes the pore spaces in rock that can hold groundwater. If rock has many pores, it is described as porous, meaning there’s plenty of space to store water in those openings. Permeability is a separate idea that focuses on how easily water can move through the rock via connected pores. An aquifer is a whole layer that can store and transmit groundwater, not just a description of the rock itself. Shale typically has low porosity and low permeability, so it doesn’t fit as well for a rock that stores groundwater. So the best term is porous.

Porosity describes the pore spaces in rock that can hold groundwater. If rock has many pores, it is described as porous, meaning there’s plenty of space to store water in those openings. Permeability is a separate idea that focuses on how easily water can move through the rock via connected pores. An aquifer is a whole layer that can store and transmit groundwater, not just a description of the rock itself. Shale typically has low porosity and low permeability, so it doesn’t fit as well for a rock that stores groundwater. So the best term is porous.