Borehole

A borehole is a narrow hole drilled into the ground to investigate geological conditions or access subsurface water, minerals, or energy resources.

Rotary drilling: A drilling method that cuts rock with a rotating bit while circulating fluid to remove cuttings. It is widely used to create boreholes through soil and rock.
Water well: A constructed opening that accesses groundwater for supply or monitoring. A water well is a borehole completed to draw groundwater.
Aquifer: A permeable geological formation that stores and transmits usable quantities of groundwater. Water boreholes reach aquifers to access groundwater.
Excavation: A cavity or opening created by removing soil or rock, often for construction or mining. Unlike a borehole, an excavation is generally open and much wider.
Percussion drilling: A drilling method that breaks rock by repeatedly striking it with a heavy tool. It offers an alternative to rotary cutting, especially in hard rock.
Groundwater monitoring: The systematic measurement of groundwater levels and properties over time. Monitoring boreholes track changes in aquifers and water quality.
Water table: The upper surface of groundwater in an unconfined aquifer. Its depth determines how far a water borehole must reach to encounter groundwater.
Shaft mining: Mining that accesses underground deposits through a deep, near-vertical passage. A mine shaft is built for underground access rather than narrow subsurface investigation.
Drilling fluid: A circulating liquid or gas used during drilling to carry cuttings, cool tools, and stabilize the hole. Its properties help control the borehole during drilling.
Geotechnical investigation: The study of ground conditions to inform the design and construction of structures. Investigation boreholes reveal soil and rock conditions beneath a site.

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