Permeability (earth sciences)

Permeability is a fancy word that is used to describe how easily water, air or other liquids can move through the tiny spaces between the particles (like sand, soil, rocks, etc.) in the ground. It is like how easily a marble can pass through a tube filled with sand or rocks.

For example, imagine that you have a piece of sponge in your hand. The sponge can absorb water and let it flow through its many holes. The sponge has high permeability because water can easily move through it. But, if you have a rock in your hand, water cannot pass through it as easily. The rock has low permeability.

Permeability is an important concept for scientists who study the Earth. They use it to understand how water, oil, and gas move underground. It helps them predict where to find natural resources like oil and gas underground. It also helps them understand how pollutants can move through the ground and affect the quality of our groundwater.

So, in short, permeability is all about how substances can move through the tiny spaces between particles in the ground.