Groundwater is the water found beneath the Earth’s surface in soil pore spaces and fractures of rock formations. It is a crucial component of the hydrological cycle and a vital resource for drinking water, agriculture, and industry. The study of groundwater involves hydrogeology, which focuses on the distribution, movement, and quality of water in the subsurface.
Reference: Freeze, R. A., & Cherry, J. A. (1979). Groundwater. Prentice Hall.