ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Subterranean river

Do you know about rivers that flow on the surface of the earth? Well, there is another kind of river that is hidden deep under the ground, and we call it a subterranean river.

Imagine digging very deep into the earth, like digging a deep hole in a sandbox. Once you dig deep enough, you may come across, watery places like puddles, lakes or even an underground river.

These underground rivers are like the ones you see above the ground, and they have water flowing through them too. But instead of being out in plain sight, they are hidden away in caverns, caves or tunnels deep underneath the ground.

They make way through rocks, soil and other obstacles, as they move slowly in their underground paths before perhaps joining up with surface rivers or occasionally emptying into the ocean.

Subterranean rivers can be found all over the world, from the USA to Asia, and are often used as sources of water for people who live nearby. However, since they are hidden deep below the ground, they are not always easy to find or to access.
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