Quote: "The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the hydrological cycle, is a biogeochemical cycle that describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth."
The movement of water in the atmosphere and on the Earth's surface, including precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, and storage.
Precipitation: The process by which water falls to the earth's surface as rain, snow, hail, or sleet.
Evaporation: The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor and rises into the atmosphere.
Transpiration: The process by which water is taken up from the soil by plants and released as water vapor into the air.
Condensation: The process by which water vapor in the air cools, forming clouds and eventually rain or snow.
Runoff: The water that flows over the land surface or through the ground into streams, rivers, and lakes.
Infiltration: The process by which water soaks into the ground and becomes groundwater.
Groundwater: The water that is stored in underground aquifers, which can be tapped by wells for human use.
Water cycle: The continuous movement of water through the earth's system, driven by energy from the sun and Earth's rotation.
Watershed: The area of land where all surface water drains into the same body of water, such a river or lake.
Hydrologic cycle: The larger system of water movement on Earth, including ocean currents, glaciers, and atmospheric circulation patterns.
Climate change: The long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, and other climate patterns that can affect the water cycle.
Drought: A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall or water availability, which can have major impacts on ecosystems and human societies.
Water scarcity: A lack of sufficient water resources to meet demand, which can lead to conflicts and social unrest.
Water management: The strategies and policies used to balance competing demands for water resources, including agriculture, industry, municipal use, and ecosystem protection.
Water quality: The degree to which water is safe and suitable for its intended uses, including drinking, recreation, and wildlife habitat.
Quote: "The mass of water on Earth remains fairly constant over time but the partitioning of the water into the major reservoirs of ice, fresh water, saline water (salt water) and atmospheric water is variable depending on a wide range of climatic variables."
Quote: "The water moves from one reservoir to another, such as from river to ocean, or from the ocean to the atmosphere, by the physical processes of evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, surface runoff, and subsurface flow."
Quote: "In doing so, the water goes through different forms: liquid, solid (ice) and vapor."
Quote: "The ocean plays a key role in the water cycle as it is the source of 86% of global evaporation."
Quote: "These heat exchanges influence climate."
Quote: "The evaporative phase of the cycle purifies water which then replenishes the land with freshwater."
Quote: "The flow of liquid water and ice transports minerals across the globe."
Quote: "It is also involved in reshaping the geological features of the Earth, through processes including erosion and sedimentation."
Quote: "The water cycle is also essential for the maintenance of most life and ecosystems on the planet."
Quote: "The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the hydrological cycle..."
Quote: "The mass of water on Earth remains fairly constant over time but the partitioning of the water into the major reservoirs of ice, fresh water, saline water (salt water) and atmospheric water is variable depending on a wide range of climatic variables."
Quote: "The water moves from one reservoir to another... by the physical processes of evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, surface runoff, and subsurface flow."
Quote: "When water evaporates, it takes up energy from its surroundings and cools the environment. When it condenses, it releases energy and warms the environment."
Quote: "The evaporative phase of the cycle purifies water which then replenishes the land with freshwater."
Quote: "The ocean plays a key role in the water cycle as it is the source of 86% of global evaporation."
Quote: "The flow of liquid water and ice transports minerals across the globe."
Quote: "It is also involved in reshaping the geological features of the Earth, through processes including erosion and sedimentation."
Quote: "These heat exchanges influence climate."
Quote: "The water cycle is also essential for the maintenance of most life and ecosystems on the planet."