The hydrologic cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It involves the processes of evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. Water evaporates from bodies of water and transpires from plants into the atmosphere. It condenses to form clouds and precipitates as rain or snow. Precipitation that does not evaporate or transpire runs off into rivers and lakes and eventually flows back into the oceans, completing the cycle. The hydrologic cycle is essential for life and influences many geological and biological processes.

1. http://www.wvdhhr.org/phs/disaster/flood2.asp
eegallega.blogspot.com/2009/10/evaporation-condensation-precipitation.html
The Hydrologic Cycle
By: Kayleigh Wiehaus & Amelia Young

2. Brief Description
The hydrologic cycle begins with water evaporating from the oceans surface.
Moist air is then lifted up and cools and then condenses to form clouds. The
moisture is transported all around the globe until it comes back to the surface as
precipitation. The water then reaches the earths surface and either evaporates
back or becomes groundwater. If if becomes groundwater then it goes into oceans,
rivers, etc. or it goes back into the atmosphere through the transpiration process.
The leftover water on the earth is known as runoff, which then empties into lakes
rivers, oceans, etc. where the cycle starts again.

3. Diagram
http://huronroom18science.wikispaces.com/Water+Cycle+Diagram

4. Steps
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
Transpiration
http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/concepts.htm
Runoff

5. Evaporation
This is when the sun heats water in rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.
and turns it into vapor. The vapor then rises into the air,
which then leads to the formation of clouds.
http://roble.pntic.mec.es/rmac0040/watercycle.html

6. Condensation
Water vapor changes from a vapor to, usually, a liquid. The
vapor condenses to small particles forming dew, clouds, or
fog. Condensation is brought about by the air cooling to its
saturation point.
http://keep2.sjfc.edu/students/kes00898/e-port/condensation%20page%20for%20unit.html

7. Precipitation
Occurs when a lot of water condensed so much that the air
cannot hold it any longer. The clouds then get extremely
heavy and water falls from them in the form of rain, sleet,
snow, or hail.
http://shoalwater.nsw.gov.au/education/precipitation.htm

8. Transpiration
The biological process that mostly occurs during the daytime.
The water inside plants is transferred from the plant to the
atmosphere as vapor. Plants transpire to cool their leaves
exposed to sun and to move nutrients to the upper part of the
plant.
http://dontwastewaterweneedit.weebly.com/why-do-we-need-clean-water.html

9. Runoff
This occurs when water does not forego the transpiration and
evaporation process, and is leftover on the earth which then
empties into lakes, rivers or oceans. After this, the cycle then
repeats itself.
http://www.co.henry.ga.us/Stormwater/EffectsOfStormwaterRunoff.shtml

10. Sinks
Aquifer: Water is stored in an aquifer which is a body of saturated rock through
which water can move easily. They must be both permeable and porous.
All major bodies of water such as oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, etc.
http://gcuonline.georgian.edu/wootton/groundewateraquifer.htm

11. Significance
Water is one of the most important necessities of life, we cannot live without
water. There is approximately 1 percent of fresh water on earth, so it is very
helpful that the water we use and its continuous replacement is a result of the
hydrologic cycle. The cycling of all other elements is dependent upon water.
http://www.colourbox.com/image/man-drinking-water-after-the-gym-image-3594146

12. Ways humans affect it
We are becoming very aware of the impacts on nature, however it is unfortunate
that many of the things we have done are causing a negative affect and can be
irreversible. Such as hydroelectricity, irrigation, deforestation and the greenhouse
effect, vehicles and even animal farming.
http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/mvigeant/univ270_05/jake_aq/irrigation.htm http://www.thinkglobalgreen.org/deforestation.html

13. Works Cited
Bramer. "A Summary of the Hydrologic Cycle: Bringing all the pieces together." A Summary of the Hydrologic Cycle: Bringing all the
pieces together. 08 Sept. 2012 <http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hyd/smry.rxml>
Engineers. "Description of Hydrologic Cycle." Description of Hydrologic Cycle. 08 Sept. 2012 <http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/info/
water_cycle/hydrology.cgi>
"Humans and the water cycle." Humans and the water cycle. 08 Sept. 2012 <http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/Contexts/H2O-On-the-Go/
Science-Ideas-and-Concepts/Humans-and-the-water-cycle>
"The Water Cycle." Sorry, Page Does Not Exist. 08 Sept. 2012 <http://www.kidzone.ws/water/>
"JEA The water cycle." JEA. 08 Sept. 2012 <https://www.jea.com/community/education/efficiency/wisely/cycle.html>
"The Water Cycle: Groundwater Storage." The Water Cycle. 08 Sept. 2012 <http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclegwstorage.html>
"ThinkQuest : 404." ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation. 08 Sept. 2012 <http://library.thinkquest.org/C004240/important.htm>