ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Epiphreatic zone

The epiphreatic zone is like a secret world under our feet, where there's some water that just won't budge. It's like the water got stuck there, and it's waiting for its chance to shine. This zone is underneath the earth's surface but above the water table, which is where most of the water hangs out. It’s like the water in the epiphreatic zone is in a special secret club. The water in this area moves very slowly because it's stuck between rocks and soil, almost like it’s making its way through a maze.

This water is a bit different than the water we see in rivers and lakes because it's very still and quiet. The rocks around the water absorb some of it, so it's not enough to create a whole stream or pool. But sometimes, when there's a lot of rain, this water can escape the zone and come up to the top, which is pretty cool!

In summary, the epiphreatic zone is a special secret place where water gets trapped underground in-between rocks and soil. The water moves slowly, but sometimes it gets a chance to come up to the surface during heavy rainfall.
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