Complete Hydrologic Cycle

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Evaporation

Change of a liquid to a gas.

Arrows represent water from oceans and lakes evaporating up into atmosphere.

 

 


Transpiration

Water loss from plants through leaf pores.

Arrow indicates transpiration from plants up into atmosphere.

 

 

Sublimation

Change from solid ice directly to gas.

Arrow indicates sublimation of ice and snow to atmosphere.

 

 

Condensation

Phase change from water vapor to a liquid.

Illustration of increasing cloud cover; arrows show increased cloud formation.

 

 


Advection

The horizontal transport of liquid and air.

 

Arrow represents movement of liquid and air sideways between 2 clouds.

 


Precipitation

Atmospheric moisture formed in the air that falls to the surface.

Rain is falling from clouds; arrow highlights downward movement of moisture.


Surface Runoff

Surface water flow that contributes to water bodies.
Arrows represent water moving over land into ocean and lake.


Melt Runoff

Water movement from melting snow down into streams.
Arrow represents downward movement of ice and snow melt; water is flowing from ice and snow down into lake.


Infiltration

The movement of water during rainfall into the soil.

Arrow represents movement of water down through soil.


Groundwater Flow

Subsurface water flow that contributes to water bodies.

Arrow represents movement of water underground between lake and ocean.
 
See how the hydrologic cycle is affected by changes in Link opens in a new window.vegetation and Link opens in a new window.ice/snow levels.

   
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