2. The water cycle: is there a beginning?

3. The water cycle: PRECIPITATION The process in which water (rain, sleet, snow or hail) falls from clouds in the sky Effects: too much causes flooding Storms cause damage to vegetation, structures

4. The water cycle: RUNOFF Surface: water (rain, snow melt, etc) flows in rivers, streams, or canals Subsurface: water (rain, snow melt, etc) flows underground through streams, drains or sewers Effects: Erosion! mudslides

5. The water cycle: ACCUMULATION Water collects in large bodies (oceans, lakes, seas) Effects: Droughts Flooding (when too full) Disastrous waves

6. The water cycle: EVAPORATION Liquid water becomes a water vapor (gas) The water vaporizes from the surfaces of lakes, rivers, oceans, the land and from snow fields Effects: Extreme weather can effect how much evaporates

7. The water cycle: TRANSPIRATION The process in which water within plants evaporates through pores in the plant Effects: Damaging to plant if evaporated water not replenished

8. The water cycle: CONDENSATION The process in which water vapor turns into a liquid Forms clouds in the sky Effects: The way the vapor mixes with the air can form tornadoes and hurricanes… which can cause severe damage

9. The water cycle: IN OTHER WORDS The sun’s energy is the driving force behind the water cycle. The sun heats up water on land and in the oceans, lakes, and seas. The water changes from liquid to vapor in a process called evaporation. The water vapor cools and in a process called condensation forms droplets in the atmosphere. These droplets become clouds. The droplets (or ice crystals if it’s cold enough) gather and then fall from the sky in a process called precipitation. This precipitation gathers in streams and rivers and flows and becomes run off, flowing back down to the oceans, seas, and lakes. In action!

10. About 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water But… So, how much water is there?

11. Not all water is drinkable

12. Systems