Thickness and consolidation of deep-sea sediments: A discussion

Hamilton (1959) concluded that in most sediments excess pore-water pressure is equal to zero - that is, the hydrostatic pressure is at atmospheric pressure. This note points out that in terrestrial environments the occurrence of artesian water (excess pore-water pressure) is commonplace and widespread and that such excess pressure is the source of energy for flowing water wells and for many flowing oil wells, "gushers," or "blowouts".