Subsurface Moisture Regulates Himalayan Groundwater Storage and Discharge

Through the release of groundwater, most mountain rivers run year-round despite their small catchments and sporadic precipitation. This makes ranges important sources reliable freshwater for downstream populations in many parts world. However, due to a lack ground instrumentation, little is known about groundwater dynamics mountainous landscapes. Recent research has shown that amount moisture trapped soil weathered rocks vadose zone can significantly buffer recharge runoff but wider recognition this effect on major systems not been yet established. In study, we test whether reservoir an impact hydrological fluxes steep Himalayan catchment during three monsoon seasons. We measured array parameters including relative seismic velocity changes from ambient noise correlations. noninvasive technique allows us monitor conjunction with classical measurements. found saturation controls onset therefore determines annual water availability supplied by model dynamic using surface layer finite storage capacity connectivity flux groundwater. The extension concept, which thought apply widely flat undulating landscapes, topography thin discontinuous soils underlain regolith bedrock implications hydrology.