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Editing 40d:Aquifer
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An '''aquifer''' is a subterranean layer of [[water]]-bearing rock or [[soil]]. Attempts to mine through them will result in the mined-out squares immediately filling with [[water]], effectively halting excavation at or below their level. This, in conjunction with the fact that they are often located in areas rich in [[loam]], and [[sand]], makes it difficult to find great quantities of [[stone]] in areas with aquifers, making for more challenging gameplay. | An '''aquifer''' is a subterranean layer of [[water]]-bearing rock or [[soil]]. Attempts to mine through them will result in the mined-out squares immediately filling with [[water]], effectively halting excavation at or below their level. This, in conjunction with the fact that they are often located in areas rich in [[loam]], and [[sand]], makes it difficult to find great quantities of [[stone]] in areas with aquifers, making for more challenging gameplay. | ||
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== Where they are found == | == Where they are found == | ||
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Layers which CAN contain aquifers: | Layers which CAN contain aquifers: | ||
− | *[[sandy clay loam]] | + | *[[Soil|sandy clay loam]] |
− | *[[silty clay loam]] | + | *[[Soil|silty clay loam]] |
− | *[[loam]] | + | *[[Soil|loam]] |
− | *[[sandy loam]] | + | *[[Soil|sandy loam]] |
− | *[[silt loam]] | + | *[[Soil|silt loam]] |
− | *[[loamy sand]] | + | *[[Soil|loamy sand]] |
− | *[[silt]] | + | *[[Soil|silt]] |
*[[sand]] | *[[sand]] | ||
− | *[[yellow sand]] | + | *[[Soil|yellow sand]] |
− | *[[white sand]] | + | *[[Soil|white sand]] |
− | *[[black sand]] | + | *[[Soil|black sand]] |
− | *[[red sand]] | + | *[[Soil|red sand]] |
− | *[[peat]] | + | *[[Soil|peat]] |
− | *[[pelagic clay]] | + | *[[Soil|pelagic clay]] |
− | *[[ | + | *[[Calcareous ooze]] |
− | *[[siliceous ooze]] | + | *[[Soil|siliceous ooze]] |
*[[sandstone]] | *[[sandstone]] | ||
*[[conglomerate]] | *[[conglomerate]] | ||
− | * | + | *Puddingstone |
Layers which CAN'T contain aquifers | Layers which CAN'T contain aquifers | ||
− | *[[clay]] | + | *[[Soil|clay]] |
− | *[[silty clay]] | + | *[[Soil|silty clay]] |
− | *[[sandy clay]] | + | *[[Soil|sandy clay]] |
− | *[[clay loam]] | + | *[[Soil|clay loam]] |
*[[siltstone]] | *[[siltstone]] | ||
*[[mudstone]] | *[[mudstone]] | ||
== Dealing with aquifers == | == Dealing with aquifers == | ||
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The challenges presented by an aquifer may be circumvented in several ways. Firstly, much more of your equipment will likely be made from [[wood]], especially early on, so it may help to be in a heavily forested area. Once you've established your [[fortress]] a bit, you will also be able to [[trade]] for [[stone]] and [[metal]]s if you run short. | The challenges presented by an aquifer may be circumvented in several ways. Firstly, much more of your equipment will likely be made from [[wood]], especially early on, so it may help to be in a heavily forested area. Once you've established your [[fortress]] a bit, you will also be able to [[trade]] for [[stone]] and [[metal]]s if you run short. | ||
− | It is also worth noting that it | + | It is also worth noting that it sometimes possible to find some amount of stone above the aquifer. It may help to create exploratory shafts searching for pockets of stone. Be aware that mining along the level immediately above the aquifer will result in patches of 'damp stone,' which will [[flood]] if mined out; these squares will flash with water when designating mining areas. |
===The speed method=== | ===The speed method=== | ||
− | For multilayer aquifers, if your [[miner]]s dig fast enough more than one aquifer layer can be pierced. | + | For multilayer aquifers, if your [[miner]]s dig fast enough more than one aquifer layer can be pierced .as of 40c one aquifer can drain into another. Ths allows work to be done from a layer down, but does not successfully pierce through all aquifer layers completely. |
===The ore method=== | ===The ore method=== | ||
On maps where the aquifer is not held in a layer of soil, but instead is held in a [[sedimentary layer]] such as [[sandstone]], it may be possible to tunnel down through deposits of [[ore]] such as [[magnetite]]. For this to work you have to find a spot where there is coincidentally an ore deposit on each Z-level you need to dig through. This is only possible through tiresome trial and error, or through the use of a [[Utilities|utility]] like reveal.exe. | On maps where the aquifer is not held in a layer of soil, but instead is held in a [[sedimentary layer]] such as [[sandstone]], it may be possible to tunnel down through deposits of [[ore]] such as [[magnetite]]. For this to work you have to find a spot where there is coincidentally an ore deposit on each Z-level you need to dig through. This is only possible through tiresome trial and error, or through the use of a [[Utilities|utility]] like reveal.exe. | ||
− | ===The magma | + | ===The magma method=== |
If you have access to a supply of [[magma]], you can create your own [[obsidian]] caissons. The water from the aquifer is not pressurized, so it is safe to dig [[channel]]s in aquifer; then you cover them with magma to create patches of obsidian, and stop the flow of magma with more water. You can now dig inside the patch without it flooding, but leave borders! Don't remove <em>all</em> the obsidian. | If you have access to a supply of [[magma]], you can create your own [[obsidian]] caissons. The water from the aquifer is not pressurized, so it is safe to dig [[channel]]s in aquifer; then you cover them with magma to create patches of obsidian, and stop the flow of magma with more water. You can now dig inside the patch without it flooding, but leave borders! Don't remove <em>all</em> the obsidian. | ||
− | + | If you must go through multiple levels, each level will shrink the area because of the borders, so be sure to channel larger areas than you think you need. | |
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− | ===The magma | + | ===The other magma method=== |
− | Magma | + | Magma vents have two outer layers that may allow you to get past the aquifer with minimal effort. Just outside the magma is always a layer of obsidian, which is one of the many stones unable to hold aquifer water. Just beyond this obsidian will be a layer of the surrounding soil or rock which has been dried by the [[magma vent]]. Depending on the exact layout of your magma vent, you may be able to dig straight down next to it, or you may have to dig around a bit to find a workable path. |
Tips: | Tips: | ||
− | *With a visible magma shaft, any tile that is not touching the magma on its Z-level (by edge or corner) is safe from magma, even if there is magma directly above it. | + | *With a visible magma shaft, any tile that is not touching the magma on its Z-level (by edge or corner) is safe from magma, even if there is magma directly above it. |
− | *Any tile which is not marked as damp is safe from the aquifer, even if there is a damp tile next to it. | + | *Any tile which is not marked as damp is safe from the aquifer, even if there is a damp tile next to it. |
*To find the water-safe tiles, you can dig down [[stair]]cases on the floor above, which reveal the tile below. These can later be covered up by constructed [[floor]]s, if you want. | *To find the water-safe tiles, you can dig down [[stair]]cases on the floor above, which reveal the tile below. These can later be covered up by constructed [[floor]]s, if you want. | ||
**'''Warning:''' Do not dig up staircases on the aquifer layer until you know the tile is safe from water. Digging an up staircase creates an open tile, which can fill with water and render adjacent squares unsafe. | **'''Warning:''' Do not dig up staircases on the aquifer layer until you know the tile is safe from water. Digging an up staircase creates an open tile, which can fill with water and render adjacent squares unsafe. | ||
*The dried tiles are the same type as the surrounding aquifer, so an aquifer-filled [[sand]] layer can be used for gathering sand, if it touches the magma vent. | *The dried tiles are the same type as the surrounding aquifer, so an aquifer-filled [[sand]] layer can be used for gathering sand, if it touches the magma vent. | ||
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+ | ===The Tweak tile edit method=== | ||
+ | Using the Tweak Utility, use the Magma/Lava Tag and create a large round circle (surrounding your tunnel). The Aquifer will turn these squares into obsidian nearly instantly and you can proceed to dig through the tunnel. | ||
===The pump method=== | ===The pump method=== | ||
It is possible to [[pump]] the water out of an aquifer; though the supply is apparently unlimited it can be pumped out faster than the water seeps in, allowing for a fairly safe area on the z level. This method is somewhat dangerous since problems with your pumps can lead to drowning, however, it allows a larger area to be cleared than most methods and can be done anywhere. It's possible to build [[wall]]s on the levels with aquifers to stop water. It's also easier to plan around a series of pumps than hoping you'll hit rock on the way down. | It is possible to [[pump]] the water out of an aquifer; though the supply is apparently unlimited it can be pumped out faster than the water seeps in, allowing for a fairly safe area on the z level. This method is somewhat dangerous since problems with your pumps can lead to drowning, however, it allows a larger area to be cleared than most methods and can be done anywhere. It's possible to build [[wall]]s on the levels with aquifers to stop water. It's also easier to plan around a series of pumps than hoping you'll hit rock on the way down. | ||
There is an example of how to get through an aquifer with pumps here: http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-120-aquifercmv | There is an example of how to get through an aquifer with pumps here: http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-120-aquifercmv | ||
− | Note that this method will not work with the current version, as it is no longer possible to pump an infinite amount of water into one tile. It can be modified, however, by placing channels behind the pumps so that the water drains back into the aquifer. It is also no longer possible to operate the pumps with a waterwheel built in the aquifer. This can be resolved by hooking up your pumps to another source of power, or by setting the pumps to be manually operated. The latter option will require quite a few | + | Note that this method will not work with the current version, as it is no longer possible to pump an infinite amount of water into one tile. It can be modified, however, by placing channels behind the pumps so that the water drains back into the aquifer. It is also no longer possible to operate the pumps with a waterwheel built in the aquifer. This can be resolved by hooking up your pumps to another source of power, or by setting the pumps to be manually operated. The latter option will require quite a few dwarfs with nothing better to do but operate pumps. |
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It is possible to expand this method to breach multiple z-levels. Just make sure your [[room]] on the next level down has a minimum of room allowed for this design. For areas larger than the design, break up the room into smaller areas (6x6 is reasonably workable) and pump them out one at a time from at least three sides (into another section when necessary, you only need one dry at a time), and building [[wall]]s on the outer edges. As you pump out additional sections, you can connect them, digging through the dividing dirt walls and building a wall between the two sections you've already built to complete the water-proofing. As a note, pumps can't pump if you build a wall in the space they're pumping from(though floor-grates work fine), which is why it is necessary to either pump from all four sides, or to dig out the space to rewall. | It is possible to expand this method to breach multiple z-levels. Just make sure your [[room]] on the next level down has a minimum of room allowed for this design. For areas larger than the design, break up the room into smaller areas (6x6 is reasonably workable) and pump them out one at a time from at least three sides (into another section when necessary, you only need one dry at a time), and building [[wall]]s on the outer edges. As you pump out additional sections, you can connect them, digging through the dividing dirt walls and building a wall between the two sections you've already built to complete the water-proofing. As a note, pumps can't pump if you build a wall in the space they're pumping from(though floor-grates work fine), which is why it is necessary to either pump from all four sides, or to dig out the space to rewall. | ||
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Steps: | Steps: | ||
− | #Dig channels in a 5x5 square. | + | #Dig channels in a 5x5 square. |
#Dig stairs on the outside of the square to allow access to the next level. | #Dig stairs on the outside of the square to allow access to the next level. | ||
#Carefully dig channels underneath all the other channels and build another stair down. | #Carefully dig channels underneath all the other channels and build another stair down. | ||
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===The cave-in method=== | ===The cave-in method=== | ||
− | If you cause the soil layers above the aquifer to cave-in on the aquifer layer, the caved-in layers above the aquifer will become mineable | + | If you cause the soil layers above the aquifer to cave-in on the aquifer layer, the caved-in layers above the aquifer will become mineable. |
showcase on 2 levels with aquifer: [[User:Rhenaya/HowtoDualAquifer]] | showcase on 2 levels with aquifer: [[User:Rhenaya/HowtoDualAquifer]] | ||
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===Differing biomes=== | ===Differing biomes=== | ||
If your local area has more than one [[biome]], you may be able to dig down in one biome to bridge under an aquifer in another. This won't work if the aquifer is present in all [[biome]]s, of course, but it may be useful in the case of a surprise aquifer that was not marked on the region selection screen. | If your local area has more than one [[biome]], you may be able to dig down in one biome to bridge under an aquifer in another. This won't work if the aquifer is present in all [[biome]]s, of course, but it may be useful in the case of a surprise aquifer that was not marked on the region selection screen. | ||
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== Advantages of aquifers == | == Advantages of aquifers == |