Scientists from the University of Oregon in the United States have discovered an underground aquifer with a volume of at least 81 cubic kilometers in the central part of the Cascade Mountain Range. This volume of water is nearly three times the maximum capacity of Lake Mead, the main reservoir of the Colorado River. The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
An aquifer is a layer of rock or sediment that retains and allows water to flow through pores or cracks in the rock. These horizons can be saturated with various amounts of water and are groundwater resources that can be used for water supply, irrigation and other needs.
“It’s like a giant water tower hidden in the mountains,” explained principal investigator and geologist Leif Carlstrom.
Most Oregonians get their drinking water from rivers originating in the Cascade Mountain Range. For example, the Mackenzie River, which feeds the city of Eugene, originates from the springs fed by this aquifer.
A new study has found that the horizon in Oregon was formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity that created porous volcanic rocks that can hold enormous amounts of water. At the same time, large amounts of water interacting with magma can cause explosive eruptions that release ash and gas into the atmosphere.
For the analysis, scientists used data from drilling operations that began in the 1980s and 1990s in search of geothermal resources. By measuring temperatures at various depths, they discovered that water entering through cracks in volcanic rocks cooled them at great depths. This allowed the researchers to determine the volume and depth of the aquifer. Carlstrom cautioned that despite the large amount of water, the resource is limited and should be used carefully. Although the horizon is mainly fed by snow, due to climate change, the snow cover in the region is rapidly decreasing and more and more precipitation falls in the form of rain.
“This is a geological gift, but its sustainability depends on the availability of renewable resources,” said study co-author Gordon Grant.
Scientists believe it is necessary to continue studying the aquifer to understand how it will respond to climate change and weather anomalies in the future.
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Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.