What is the downward movement of water from the surface into the ground called?

What is the downward movement of water from the surface into the ground called?

• A. Infiltration
• B. Percolation
• C. Groundwater flow
• D. Surface runoff

Answer: (A)

The downward movement of water from the surface into the ground is infiltration. It describes water entering the soil from rainfall or surface water, beginning the process of soil moisture recharge. The water that doesn’t infiltrate becomes surface runoff, while water that moves deeper through the soil after entering it is called percolation, and groundwater flow refers to movement within the saturated zone. Groundwater recharge starts with infiltration, then may continue as percolation.

The downward movement of water from the surface into the ground is infiltration. It describes water entering the soil from rainfall or surface water, beginning the process of soil moisture recharge. The water that doesn’t infiltrate becomes surface runoff, while water that moves deeper through the soil after entering it is called percolation, and groundwater flow refers to movement within the saturated zone. Groundwater recharge starts with infiltration, then may continue as percolation.