phreatic
/friˈætɪk/
adjective
- Relating to underground water, especially water in the zone of saturation below the water table.
- Farmers rely on phreatic water sources for irrigation during dry seasons.
- The phreatic zone is where all the spaces in the rock are filled with water.
- The geologist explained how phreatic aquifers supply water to many wells in the region.
- Describing a volcanic eruption caused by the heating of groundwater, producing steam and ash without fresh magma.
- Scientists warned that phreatic explosions can happen suddenly and without warning.
- The phreatic eruption sent a plume of steam and ash high into the sky.
- After the phreatic blast, the volcano remained quiet for several months.