What makes the water cycle a continuous cycle?
A portion of runoff enters rivers and continues toward the oceans. Runoff and groundwater seepage can also accumulate and get stored as freshwater in lakes. Some runoff soaks into the ground where it replenishes groundwater aquifers or seeps back to the surface. Over time, this cycle continues again and again.
What keeps the water cycle running?
The sun, which drives the water cycle, heats water in the oceans. Some of it evaporates as vapor into the air. The vapor rises into the air where cooler temperatures cause it to condense into clouds. Air currents move clouds around the globe, cloud particles collide, grow, and fall out of the sky as precipitation.
What is the continuous movement of water?
hydrologic cycle
The water cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the Earth’s surface. The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the H2O cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.
What happens if the water cycle stops working?
With no water supply, all vegetation would soon die out and the world would resemble a brownish dot, rather than a green and blue one. Clouds would cease to formulate and precipitation would stop as a necessary consequence, meaning that the weather would be dictated almost entirely by wind patterns.
How is the movement of water described in the water cycle?
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth. During this process, water changes its state from one phase to another, but the total number of water particles remains the same.
Why is condensation important to the water cycle?
Condensation and the Water Cycle. Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water. Condensation is crucial to the water cycle because it is responsible for the formation of clouds. These clouds may produce precipitation, which is the primary route for water to return to the Earth’s surface within
Which is an example of the natural water cycle?
Note: This section of the Water Science School discusses the Earth’s “natural” water The air is full of water, as water vapor, even if you can’t see it. Condensation is the process of water vapor turning back into liquid water, with the best example being those big, fluffy clouds floating over your head.
How is water returned to the ground in the water cycle?
In a process called sublimation, solid water, such as ice or snow, can transform directly into water vapor without first becoming a liquid. A misty cloud rises over Deer Streams National Park. The water cycle contains more steps than just rain and evaporation, fog and mist are other ways for water to be returned to the ground.