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An Interactive Experience
Discover the magnificent cycle that sustains all life on Earth. From the depths of the ocean to the highest clouds, witness the continuous transformation of our planet's most precious resource.
Interactive Simulation
Interact with our 3D simulation to understand how water moves through our atmosphere, land, and oceans in a continuous cycle of transformation.
Watch as the sun's energy heats the ocean surface, causing water molecules to escape into the atmosphere as invisible water vapor.
The Four Stages
The water cycle consists of four main stages, each playing a crucial role in the continuous movement and purification of Earth's water.
The sun heats water in oceans, lakes, and rivers, converting it to water vapor that rises into the atmosphere. This process purifies the water, leaving impurities behind.
As water vapor rises and cools in the atmosphere, it transforms back into tiny water droplets, forming clouds. This phase change releases heat energy into the atmosphere.
When water droplets in clouds combine and become too heavy, they fall as precipitation—rain, snow, sleet, or hail—returning water to Earth's surface.
Precipitation collects in oceans, lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers. Water also infiltrates soil, nourishing plants and replenishing groundwater reserves.
By The Numbers
Earth's Surface Covered
Saltwater in Oceans
Cubic Miles of Water
Average Atmospheric Cycle
Deep Dive
Gain comprehensive understanding of the intricate processes that drive our planet's water cycle.
Evaporation is the driving force of the water cycle, powered by solar energy. Every day, the sun transfers approximately 1.4 million trillion watt-hours of energy to Earth, with a significant portion dedicated to evaporating water.
This process occurs not only from oceans but also from lakes, rivers, soil moisture, and even through plant transpiration—a process called evapotranspiration.
As water vapor ascends through the atmosphere, it encounters cooler temperatures at higher altitudes. When the air temperature drops to the dew point, water vapor undergoes a phase transition, condensing around microscopic particles called condensation nuclei.
These nuclei can be dust, pollen, sea salt, or even pollution particles. The resulting water droplets are incredibly small—typically 10-20 micrometers in diameter—and remain suspended in the air, forming the clouds we see.
Precipitation occurs when cloud droplets coalesce and grow large enough to overcome air resistance. A raindrop must reach approximately 0.5mm in diameter before it can fall to Earth. This requires millions of cloud droplets to combine.
The form precipitation takes—rain, snow, sleet, or hail—depends on atmospheric temperature profiles. Snow forms when temperatures remain below freezing throughout the cloud, while rain occurs in warmer conditions.
Once precipitation reaches the Earth's surface, water begins its journey back to collection points. Surface runoff flows into streams and rivers, eventually reaching lakes and oceans. Meanwhile, infiltration allows water to seep into the ground, replenishing aquifers.
Groundwater moves slowly through soil and rock formations, sometimes taking thousands of years to complete its journey. This underground water storage represents a crucial reservoir for ecosystems and human water supplies.
Test Your Knowledge
Challenge yourself with questions about the water cycle and see how much you've learned.