The upper boundary of the zone of saturation in soil and rock, where groundwater completely fills all available pore spaces. It represents the level below which the ground is completely saturated with water.
From 'water' + 'table,' with 'table' used in the geological sense of a flat, level surface, similar to 'table land.' The term emerged in the 19th century as understanding of groundwater systems developed.
The water table isn't actually flat like a table – it follows the general contours of the land surface above it! In places like Florida, the water table is so close to the surface that basements are impossible to build, and sinkholes can suddenly appear when the thin layer above collapses.
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