Meteoric water is the water derived fromprecipitation (snow andrain). This includes water fromlakes,rivers, andglaciers, which all originate from precipitation indirectly. While the bulk of rainwater or meltwater from snow and ice reaches the sea through surface flow, a considerable portion of meteoric water gradually infiltrates into the ground. This infiltrating water continues its downward journey to thezone of saturation to become a part of thegroundwater inaquifers.
Non-meteoric forms of water areconnate water andmagmatic water (also termedjuvenile water). Connate water refers to water trapped between layers of sedimentary deposits during the formation ofrockstrata. Because rock containing connate water is typically formed fromoceansediments, connate water is normallysaline. Magmatic water is water dissolved inmagma and rises from great depth accompanying magmaintrusions orvolcanic eruptions and affects the formation ofminerals. Mostgroundwater is meteoric water, and these other forms normally do not play a significant role in thehydrologic cycle.
The term "meteoric" does not refer tometeors ormeteorites but instead refers to having a directatmospheric origin (and is from the same root asmeteorology). The term is from a Greek word which originally referred to astronomical discussions. However, after the publication ofAristotle's bookMeteorology, which discussed what we today callearth sciences, the term was eventually used to describe any notable changes appearing in the sky (includingmeteors, originally thought to be weather phenomena).
"Glossary of Meteorology".American Meteorological Society. Retrieved2006-05-13.