A spring is a point at which water flows from an aquifer to the Earth's surface. It is a component of the hydrosphere.
Limestones
Intrusive
rocks
Direct Supply Area
Flow direction of
undergroundwater
Indirect Supply Area
Springs Discharge Area
Springs in Jinan mainly are depression springs and contact springs. The water of springs in the region of city comes from precipitation in southern mountain areas(affiliated to Mount Tai System). Rocks below southern mountain are soft limestones which support to form, store, and transfer underground water. Underneath rocks in the region of city are hard intrusive rocks that underground water can't penetrate. Therefore, underground water moves upward and forms springs in the region of city.
(a)
(b)
When a spring discharges water at a large magnitute, it looks like picture(a). Usually, most of springs in Jinan look like picture (b). They discharge small amount of water. But if you observe springs carefully, you will see bubbles up.
