Publisher's Synopsis
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. The mass of water on Earth remains fairly constant over time but the partitioning of the water into the major reservoirs of ice, freshwater, saline water, and atmospheric water is variable depending on a wide range of climatic variables. 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, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, surface runoff, and subsurface flow. In doing so, the water goes through different forms: liquid, solid (ice), and vapor.
Follow a drop of water as it moves around the world! From the largest glaciers to the steam coming out of a kettle, find out how water can change, and how it can alter landscapes. Get answers to these questions and more: When is water invisible? How big was the largest hailstone? How much water does the ocean hold?
