Band 8+: The diagram shows the water cycle, which is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. Summaries the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where revelant.

The diagram illustrates the process of the water cycle, detailing how water returns to the ocean.

Overall, the cycle begins with the evaporation of water from the ocean, leading to condensation and cloud formation, followed by precipitation. Following its infiltration into the ground or flow into lakes, this precipitation may cause saltwater intrusion in coastal areas.

Initially, water from the ocean evaporates due to the heat from the sun , contributing approximately 60% of the total water vapor in the atmosphere. This water vapor then rises and cools, leading to the formation of clouds through condensation.

When the clouds are dense enough, they release precipitation, which can be either snow or rain. This precipitation falls on a variety of surfaces, including as the ground and lakes. Some of this water flows over the land as surface run off, eventually returning to the ocean, while some infiltrates the ground, becoming groundwater. Saltwater intrusion may occur in coastal locations when rainwater flows through the ground, then the groundwater returns to the ocean again, closing the cycle.