What type of well penetrates a water bearing stratum where water is held under pressure and rises in the well?

An artesian well is defined by its ability to penetrate a water-bearing stratum, known as an aquifer, where groundwater is held under pressure. This unique pressure allows water to naturally rise to the surface without the need for a pump, which is a characteristic feature of artesian wells.

In contrast, a flowing well is a broader term that could apply to any well where water flows naturally due to pressure, but it doesn't specify that the water must be under pressure like an artesian well does. Shallow wells and deep wells refer primarily to the depth at which the water is accessed and do not inherently involve the pressured conditions required to be classified as artesian. Therefore, an artesian well is the most precise term for this description, highlighting the significant role of groundwater pressure in its function.