Fossil water

Fossil water is very old water that has been underground for a really long time. Just like fossils are from animals and plants that lived a long time ago, fossil water is water that was trapped underground thousands or even millions of years ago. It’s called “fossil” because it’s similar to fossils in that it’s from a past time.

Sometimes, a lot of rain or snowmelt happens in an area, and this water seeps into the ground where it can flow underground into layers of rocks and soil that can hold it like a sponge. This water can stay there for hundreds or thousands of years and become fossil water. Over time, the layers of rocks and soil can shift or change, and the water can be cut off from the surface or other water sources.

Fossil water is often found in places where water is scarce, like deserts or places that are really far from any lakes or rivers. People can drill wells deep into the ground to access the fossil water and use it for drinking, irrigation or other purposes. It's important to use fossil water wisely, though, because once it’s used up, it can take thousands of years to recharge. It's crucial to know how much fossil water is in a region to avoid using up too much too fast.

In summary, fossil water is very old water that has been trapped underground for a long time, like a sponge. People drill wells to access it but they must use it carefully because it takes a long time to recharge.