The above diagram shows the process of the water cycle. This cycle happens on a continuing basis. Several factors play a role during the water cycle.
The main element that works during this process is water. There are 4 stages to the water cycle. The first stage is the melting of snow and ice from the mountains. The melted snow and other water sources, such as lakes and groundwater, go through an impervious layer. It is not visible on the earth’s surface and is rooted deep inside the earth’s crust. This water goes into the ocean.
The second stage is the process of evaporation. The ocean water contributes to 80% of water vapour in the air. Then in the third stage, condensation of water vapour takes place. This water vapour gets hugely overpowered and goes into cloud formation as the next stage. At last, precipitation happens. The collected water in the cloud would pour down onto the land and lakes. In cold regions, it would come down as snow. This same process happens again from stage 1.
In conclusion, the water cycle is a looping process. We do not know how it starts or ends. The water on the land and the melted ice would go into the ocean by underground waterways. They are evaporated from the ocean as water vapour and condense. Then cloud formation happens followed by precipitation.