In soil science, permeable is a qualitative description for the ease with which water or some other fluid can pass through soil. Permeability in this context is a function not only of the total pore volume but also of the size and distribution of the pores. In geology, particularly with reference to groundwater, permeability is the ability of water to move through any water-bearing formation, rock, or unconsolidated material. This condition can be measured in the laboratory by measuring the volume of water that flows through a sample over a certain period of time.

See Also

Aquifer; Recharge Zone; Soil Profile; Vadose Zone; Zone of Saturation