Buried valleys may have been created by glacial lake runoff prior to the last major advance and retreat of continental glaciation.
These valleys often have no surface expression, but constitute a major source of groundwater in the glaciated mid-continent region of North America[2] and Northern Europe.
[3] Recently, research has been focused on understanding the sedimentology of these formations in an effort to determine the safety of continued use of the aquifers which are often found in them.
The glacial outwash deposits of these preexisting valleys mainly consist of coarser materials, such as sand and gravel.
This increased pore space creates more voids for water, especially when compared to silt or clay rich soil.
Often, the reason buried valleys are mapped is due to the ability to utilize previously deeply drilled wells that have been supplying water to communities.