subsurface

Everyday

1. Subsurface means lying or happening just below a surface, such as under the ground, the sea or the skin. tree →
2. The subsurface is the layer under the surface. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science, «subsurface water» is groundwater under the soil; scientists look for subsurface oceans on moons like Europa and Enceladus. In engineering, subsurface surveys check ground before building. Phrases: «subsurface water», «subsurface ocean», «subsurface layer».

Examples

• Scientists think Europa has a subsurface ocean under its ice. tree →
• Subsurface water feeds the well. tree →
• The robot scanned the subsurface for old pipes. tree →
• Subsurface rock can be studied with drills. tree →
• The bruise was a subsurface injury under the skin. tree →
• Geologists mapped the subsurface before the tunnel was dug. tree →

Note

One word. «Sub-» means «under». Mostly a science and technical word.