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Artesian
(Redirected from Artesian well)
An artesian aquifer is an aquifer whose water is overpressurized. Water will thus flow out of an artesian well without pumping.
Why is a well artesian?
Because its recharge zone is higher than the head of the well.
Pascal's Law predicts the overpressure:
Poverpressure = ρg(zrecharge - zwellhead)
where ρ is the volumic mass of the fluid, g the acceleration due to gravity, and z is height.
Etymology
First recorded in 1830, from French puits artésien "wells of Artois," French province where such wells were first bored 18th century by Bélidor .
Last updated: 01-28-2005 09:00:58
Last updated: 02-24-2005 04:26:49