What occurs when the water table intersects Earth's surface?

When the water table intersects Earth's surface, it leads to a natural outflow of groundwater, making the first choice the correct answer. This intersection occurs in locations such as lakes, rivers, and springs, where groundwater emerges due to the pressure of the water table being higher than the surrounding land elevation.

Groundwater that reaches the surface can create visible features like springs, which provide a consistent flow of water, supporting ecosystems and human needs. This phenomenon is fundamental to understanding hydrology, as it highlights the dynamic relationship between surface water and groundwater.

The other choices relate to different geological or hydrological processes but do not directly describe the outcome of the water table intersecting the surface. For instance, a decrease in groundwater pressure is generally a result of excessive water withdrawal and not a direct outcome of the water table's position. Geysers, while they are related to groundwater, require specific conditions of underground pressure and heat to form rather than simply being a result of water table interaction. Artesian wells occur due to confined aquifers where pressure forces water to flow to the surface, but this is distinct from the basic interaction of the water table and the land surface.