Visible Evidence: Freshwater Plumes
When large amounts of groundwater discharge into the ocean, they often create visible 'plumes' on the surface. These are areas of lower salinity that can be detected by satellites or sensors. Because the freshwater is less dense, it spreads out along the surface, far from the shore, rather than sinking.
No Ocean Intrusion
This outward flow means that near the coast, the groundwater is almost always fresh. The ocean water stays in the deep basin. While there can be some local mixing, the overall system is stable: water leaves the land, and the ocean remains contained.