This activity demonstrates how different sizes of rock materials that make up an aquifer affect water movement. Students discover that ground water must be able to move through underground materials at rates fast enough to supply useful amounts of water to wells or springs in order for those materials to be classified as an aquifer. They also learn that for water to move in an aquifer, some of the pores and fractures must be connected to each other. As a result of this activity students will be able to identify several sources of rock materials that make up an aquifer and discuss how water moves through gravel, sand, and clay.

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Publisher: Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW),