Why in news?

Residents of Taranagar village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, experienced a unique phenomenon from December 27 to December 29, when large amounts of water unexpectedly gushed out from underground. The flow stopped naturally without any external intervention.

Social media speculated the event's connection to the Saraswati River, referenced in ancient texts like the Rig Veda and believed to have flowed through the region in the past. Experts do not consider this to be linked with the Saraswati River. They believe that this water is millions of years old and in no way linked with the river.

What’s in today’s article?

• Unexpected Water Flow in Jaisalmer During Tube Well Drilling
• Understanding Artesian Aquifers
• Artesian Aquifers in the Desert Region

Unexpected Water Flow in Jaisalmer During Tube Well Drilling

• Incident Details
  • In the Mohangarh area of Jaisalmer, a farmer hired a firm to dig a tube well on December 27.
  • After reaching a depth of 850 feet, water began gushing out at high pressure, trapping a truck and a drilling machine.
  • Around 25 bighas of land nearby were submerged due to the water flow, which also created a large pit.
• Gas Release
  • A small amount of non-inflammable gas accompanied the water flow.
• Experts Explanation
  • Geologists at Rajasthan's State Ground Water Department, explained the phenomenon as an "artesian condition," where water flows naturally due to underground pressure.

Understanding Artesian Aquifers

• Definition of Artesian Aquifer:
  • According to the United States Geological Survey, an artesian aquifer stores water under pressure between impermeable layers of sediment and soil below the Earth's surface.
  • It is also referred to as “confined” water due to the presence of hardy materials above and below it.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Confined Water: The water is confined in layers of rock or soil, creating pressure that forces it to the surface when tapped.
  • Natural Flow: Due to the underground pressure, water can flow freely from the well once it is drilled, often without the need for a pump.
  • Depth: Artesian wells typically tap into deeper underground sources compared to regular wells.
• Formation
  • Artesian wells are formed when water from a higher elevation is trapped between two impermeable layers, and the pressure from the surrounding rock forces it upward when a hole or well is drilled.
  • Artesian wells are commonly found in areas with specific geological conditions, and they can provide a steady flow of water for various uses, including irrigation and drinking water.
• Difference from Normal Wells
  • Unlike regular tube wells or wells, artesian water can naturally sprout from underground due to high pressure.
  • This water is located deeper below the surface and is surrounded by poorly permeable rocks that trap the pressure.
  • Drilling or rupturing the confining layers releases this pressure, forcing water upward.

Artesian Aquifers in the Desert Region

• Water Confined Under Sandstone Layers
  • In desert areas, water is trapped beneath a geological layer of sandstone.
  • When this top layer is punctured, water flows upward due to intense underground pressure.
• Unique Observation in Taranagar
  • While this phenomenon has been seen in places like Mohangarh and Nachana Samiti Panchayat in Rajasthan, the intensity of water flow observed in Taranagar was unprecedented.
• Global Occurrence of Artesian Phenomena
  • Similar artesian conditions have been documented in desert regions of Australia and Africa.