water cycle

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hydrologic cycle

Learn about the water cycle and how oceans act as the Earth's water reservoirs

The water cycle: From the ocean to the air

Indonesia: climate

Perito Moreno glacier

Figure 2: The present-day surface hydrologic cycle. The numbers in parentheses refer to volumes of water in millions of cubic kilometres, and the fluxes adjacent to the arrows are in millions of cubic kilometres of water per year.

Figure 4: The detailed hydrologic cycle emphasizing processes involved in the transfer of water in the cycle. Numbers on arrows show relative water fluxes.

Follow water in its many forms, from glaciers and clouds to freshwater rivers and saltwater oceans

See how water transforms between liquid, ice, and vapour in the water cycle

For Students

water cycle summary

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water cycle: Facts & Related Content

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Facts

Also Known As	hydrologic cycle • moisture cycle

Photos and Videos

hydrologic cycle

Indonesia: climate

Perito Moreno glacier

Figure 2: The present-day surface hydrologic cycle. The numbers in parentheses refer to volumes of water in millions of cubic kilometres, and the fluxes adjacent to the arrows are in millions of cubic kilometres of water per year.

Figure 4: The detailed hydrologic cycle emphasizing processes involved in the transfer of water in the cycle. Numbers on arrows show relative water fluxes.

Learn about the water cycle and how oceans act as the Earth's water reservoirs

The water cycle: From the ocean to the air

Follow water in its many forms, from glaciers and clouds to freshwater rivers and saltwater oceans

See how water transforms between liquid, ice, and vapour in the water cycle

Explore how interactions between the water cycle and landforms affect climate and weather

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Topics

salt nucleus precipitation condensation nucleus runoff evapotranspiration freezing nucleus interception cloud formation infiltration sublimation nucleus ocean current wave ocean acidification tide nitrogen cycle phosphorus cycle carbon cycle oxygen cycle sulfur cycle lake

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Key People

Pierre Perrault

French hydrologist

Quiz

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Water and its Varying Forms