The water (hydrologic) cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth
This movement of water involves several different processes, including:
- Evaporation – Water is converted to vapour by the sun and transferred from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere
- Transpiration – Water vapour is released by plants and soil into the atmosphere
- Condensation – Water vapour is transformed into liquid water droplets in the air (creating clouds and fog)
- Precipitation – Water vapour in the atmosphere condenses into liquid (rain) or solid (snow) and returns to the Earth
- Infiltration – The flow of water from the ground surface into the soil
- Runoff – The variety of ways water moves along the ground
- Subsurface Flow – The flow of water underground (will eventually drain into oceans or return to the surface via springs)
The Water Cycle
