Aquitard

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Typical aquifer cross-section, click to view fullsize.
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Typical aquifer cross-section, click to view fullsize.

An aquitard is a zone within the earth that restricts the flow of groundwater from one aquifer to another. An aquitard can sometimes, if completely impermeable, be called an aquiclude or aquifuge. Aquitards are composed of layers of either clay or non-porous rock with low hydraulic conductivity.

The dark blue layer on the diagram shows an aquitard.