The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, involves the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. There are four main stages: 1) Evaporation where water turns from a liquid to gas, 2) Condensation where water vapor condenses to form clouds, 3) Precipitation where water falls as rain, snow, or hail, and 4) Infiltration where precipitation soaks into the ground. Water is essential for life and the water cycle regulates the distribution of water throughout the Earth's ecosystems.