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An artesian aquifer is a confined aquifer containing 
From the previous statement, it can be inferred that not all aquifers are artesian (i.e., water table aquifers occur where the groundwater level at the top of the aquifer is at equilibrium with atmospheric pressure). The recharging of aquifers happens when the water table at its recharge zone is at a higher
Video of an artesian aquifer releasing water under its own pressure
{{DEFAULTSORT:Artesian Aquifer Aquifers Hydrology Water wells
An artesian aquifer is a confined aquifer containing groundwater
Groundwater is the water present beneath Earth's surface in rock and Pore space in soil, soil pore spaces and in the fractures of stratum, rock formations. About 30 percent of all readily available freshwater in the world is groundwater. A unit ...
under positive pressure. An artesian aquifer has trapped water, surrounded by layers of impermeable rock or clay, which apply positive pressure to the water contained within the aquifer. If a well were to be sunk into an artesian aquifer, water in the well-pipe would rise to a height corresponding to the point where hydrostatic equilibrium
In fluid mechanics, hydrostatic equilibrium (hydrostatic balance, hydrostasy) is the condition of a fluid or plastic solid at rest, which occurs when external forces, such as gravity, are balanced by a pressure-gradient force. In the planeta ...
is reached.
A well drilled into such an aquifer is called an ''artesian well''. If water reaches the ground surface under the natural pressure of the aquifer, the well is termed a ''flowing artesian well''.
Fossil water aquifers can also be artesian if they are under sufficient pressure from the surrounding rocks, similar to how many newly tapped oil wells are pressurized.
From the previous statement, it can be inferred that not all aquifers are artesian (i.e., water table aquifers occur where the groundwater level at the top of the aquifer is at equilibrium with atmospheric pressure). The recharging of aquifers happens when the water table at its recharge zone is at a higher elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above or below a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface (see Geodetic datum ยง ...
than the head of the well.
History
Artesian wells were named after the former province of Artois inFrance
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, where many artesian wells were drilled by Carthusian
The Carthusians, also known as the Order of Carthusians ( la, Ordo Cartusiensis), are a Latin enclosed religious order of the Catholic Church. The order was founded by Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns. The order has i ...
monks from 1126.Frances Gies and Joseph Gies Frances Gies (June 10, 1915 – December 18, 2013) and Joseph Gies (October 8, 1916 – April 13, 2006) were historians and writers who collaborated on a number of books about the Middle Ages, and also wrote individual works. They were hus ...
, ''Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel'' subtitled "Technology and Invention in the Middle Ages". Harper Perennial, 1995 , page 112.
See also
*Fluid mechanics
Fluid mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the mechanics of fluids ( liquids, gases, and plasmas) and the forces on them.
It has applications in a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical, aerospace, civil, chemical and ...
* Great Artesian Basin
The Great Artesian Basin (GAB), located in Australia, is the largest and deepest artesian basin in the world, stretching over , with measured water temperatures ranging from . The basin provides the only source of fresh water through much of ...
* Hydrogeology
Hydrogeology (''hydro-'' meaning water, and ''-geology'' meaning the study of the Earth) is the area of geology that deals with the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth's crust (commonly in aq ...
* Qanat
* List of artesian wells in the United States
This is a list of artesian wells in the United States.
*Artesian, South Dakota wells
* Artesian, Washington wells
* Artesian Commons, Olympia, Washington
* The Artesian Hotel, Sulphur, Oklahoma
* Artesian Water Co. Pumphouse and Wells, Boise, Idah ...
* Drilled wells (for bore water mechanics)
References
External links
Video of an artesian aquifer releasing water under its own pressure
{{DEFAULTSORT:Artesian Aquifer Aquifers Hydrology Water wells