Lahteet

Lähteet (often written as lähteet in Finnish) is a Finnish term with two main senses: natural springs and sources of information. In geography, it refers to places where groundwater emerges at the surface, forming springs that feed streams and wetlands. In scholarly and journalistic contexts, lähteet denote sources used to support statements, findings, or claims.

In hydrology and geomorphology, springs form where the groundwater table intersects the ground surface or where water escapes from soluble rocks, fractures, or saturated zones. They vary by formation (karst springs, fracture-controlled springs, seepage springs), flow rate, temperature, and mineral content. Springs are ecological habitats and important for drinking water supply; they can indicate aquifer health and regional geology.

In information science, sources are evaluated for credibility, relevance, and originality. Primary sources provide direct evidence or firsthand data; secondary sources analyze or synthesize primary material. Good practice includes citing sources to enable verification and reuse; common citation styles include general principles, with formats like APA, MLA, or Chicago used in academia and media.

In Finnish media and education, listing reliable lähteet is standard to ensure accountability and transparency; outdated or biased sources can mislead readers, so critical evaluation and cross-checking are emphasized in information literacy.

See also: hydrology, information literacy, citation practices.