The diagram illustrates the natural process of the water cycle, showing how water circulates continuously on Earth.
Overall, the cycle involves three main stages: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, followed by surface runoff and groundwater flow, which eventually return water to the ocean. This circular system is powered primarily by the sun’s heat.
At the first stage, water from oceans, lakes, and other bodies is heated by the sun and transformed into water vapour. Oceans account for nearly 80% of this evaporation. The vapour rises into the atmosphere, where it cools and undergoes condensation, forming clouds.
Subsequently, precipitation occurs as water falls back to the earth in the form of rain, snow, or hail. This water then follows several pathways: some of it flows over the surface into rivers and lakes, while another portion infiltrates the soil, becoming groundwater. Groundwater may gradually seep back into oceans or emerge into lakes and rivers. Additionally, part of the water cycle includes percolation through impermeable layers beneath the ground, ultimately reconnecting with salt water bodies.
In summary, the water cycle is a continuous, self-sustaining process involving evaporation, cloud formation, and precipitation, with water returning to the ocean through various routes