The process of water soaking deep into the Earth and being stored deep in the ground is known as ...

The process of water soaking deep into the Earth and being stored deep in the ground is known as groundwater recharge or simply recharge. Here are the steps of this process:

1. Precipitation: The process begins with precipitation such as rain or snow. When it rains, the water falls on the surface of the Earth.

2. Infiltration: Some of this water infiltrates or seeps into the ground. This is facilitated by the permeability of the soil, which allows water to pass through its pores.

3. Percolation: The water continues to move downwards through the soil and rock layers in a process called percolation. This is driven by gravity and the pressure difference between the surface and the subsurface.

4. Storage: Eventually, the water reaches a level where all the pores in the ground are filled with water. This is known as the water table, and the water stored in this zone is called groundwater.

5. Recharge: The process of water reaching this groundwater store is known as recharge. It's a critical process that replenishes our groundwater supplies and helps maintain the health of ecosystems.

6. Discharge: The stored groundwater can then be discharged or released back to the surface naturally through springs or artificially through wells.

This cycle of recharge and discharge is a key part of the Earth's water cycle.