Final answer:
An artesian well requires a permeable aquifer between two impermeable layers, pressurized water due to higher elevation at the aquifer's beginning, and sufficient understanding of local geology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conditions for an Artesian Well
To define the conditions needed for an artesian well, it is critical to understand the geological setup that allows such a well to function. An artesian well requires certain conditions involving the surrounding rock formations:
- There must be a permeable aquifer sandwiched between two impermeable layers of rock, such as clay or shale.
- The aquifer material, commonly sandstone, must be saturated with water, which is under pressure due to the surrounding impermeable layers.
- The area of land where the aquifer begins must be at a higher elevation than the location of the well, to facilitate the natural pressure-driven flow of water.
When these conditions are met, drilling into the aquifer allows the pressurized water to naturally rise up the well, sometimes to the surface without the need for pumping. Understanding the local geology, through stratigraphic columns or other methods, is crucial to locating an aquifer suitable for an artesian well.