Groundwater gravity-induced

T6th describes the gravity-induced groundwater flow pattern in terms of interdependent flow systems as existing in drainage basins. A drainage basin is a depression of the ground surface, partly or entirely surrounded by... 

Figure 2.20 Cross-section showing the theoretical distribution of hydraulic head and gravity-induced groundwater flow pattern in a homogeneous and isotropic drainage basin with complex ground surface geometry (modified after T6th, 1970. Reprinted by permission of the National Research Council of Canada).

Figure 2.24 Cross-sections showing the theoretical effect of a partial aquifer of relatively good permeability on the distribution of hydraulic head and gravity-induced groundwater flow pattern in two drainage basins (after Freeze and Witherspoon, 1967, Water Resources Research, Vol. 3, no. 2, Fig. 4, p. 629. Copyright by the American Geophysical Union).

Lateral variations in permeability, caused by e.g. facies changes unconformities, faults, can profoundly affect the gravity-induced groundwater flow system (Figure 2.24), which in some cases can lead to the creation of local flow systems (Garven and Freeze, 1984b). 

Figure 2.27 Schematic model of the relation between cross-formational gravity-induced groundwater flow and changes in temperature and heat flow with depth in Alberta, Canada (after M orowicz et al., 1985. Reprinted with permission from Journal of Geodynamics 4, Fig. 10, p. 280 Copyright, 1985, Pergamon Press Ltd.).

The chemical characteristics of groundwater of meteoric origin change systematically in the direction of flow in a gravity-induced groundwater flow system (Bredehoeft et al., 1982 Collins, 1975 Herczeg et al., 1991 Tdth, 1980). The... 

Figure 2.31 Calculated increase in basinward extension of the gravity-induced groundwater flow system in the Gulf of Mexico Basin resulting from a 200 m fall in sea level during the Oligocene (after Harrison and Summa, 1991, American Journal of Science, Vol. 291, Fig. 26. Reprinted by permission of American Journal of Science).

The hydrocarbons in aqueous solution will be transported along with the gravity-induced groundwater flow prevailing in the permeable carrier rocks, in a predominantly lateral direction from an area of recharge to an area of discharge (Figure 2.21). 

Figure 5.13 Cross-section of a horizontally layered drainage basin showing positions of hydraulic traps in connection with the gravity-induced groundwater flow systems (modified after Tdth, 1980. Reprinted by permission of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists).

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