Which term refers to the water that is found beneath the Earth's surface?

The term that refers to the water found beneath the Earth's surface is groundwater flow. Groundwater represents a significant portion of the Earth's freshwater supply and exists in the spaces within soil, sand, and rocks beneath the ground. It is not directly visible as it is hidden beneath the surface, and it plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle, feeding into rivers, lakes, and springs, which can be critical sources of water for ecosystems and human use.

This contrasts with surface water, which refers to bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and oceans that are easily visible and found above ground. Runoff describes the process of water flowing over the land's surface after precipitation, rather than being underground. Watershed, meanwhile, refers to the area of land that drains into a particular water body; it encompasses both surface and groundwater but does not specifically refer to the stored water underground.