vadose zone

American  

noun

1. Geology. Also called unsaturated zone. the zone of earth that is below the earth's surface but above the water table. Compare phreatic zone.

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vadose zone Scientific  

/ vā′dōs′ /

1. A subsurface zone of soil or rock containing fluid under pressure that is less than that of the atmosphere. Pore spaces in the vadose zone are partly filled with water and partly filled with air. The vadose zone is limited by the land surface above and by the water table below.

2. Compare phreatic zone

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Example Sentences

Below the vadose zone is the capillary fringe.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

In the vadose zone, fluid pressure in the pores is less than atmospheric pressure.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

The space between the water table and the earth's surface is sometimes referred to as the vadose zone or the zone of weathering, since it is the belt in which weathering processes are most active.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)