Page 272 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Water cycle SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Clouds p.64
▸ ▸ Water
The Earth always has the same amount of water, but pp.120–121
it is constantly moving between the oceans, rivers, ▸ ▸ Glaciers p.122
underground reservoirs, ice caps, and the atmosphere. ▸ ▸ Lakes p.143

This continuous movement is called the water cycle. ▸ ▸ Oceans and seas
p.187

▸ ▸ Rivers p.211

Moving water
The amount of water in When clouds
the atmosphere, the contain enough
water they
oceans, and on land is produce rain,
always changing. snow, or hail that
falls down to Earth.
Water in the atmosphere
comes together in
masses of tiny droplets
to form clouds.

Some rainwater and
snowmelt soak into
the ground, forming
underground lakes
known as aquifers.

Rainwater and
snowmelt find their
Water evaporates from the sea way into rivers, which
into the atmosphere. Plants eventually carry them
release water in a process to the sea.
called transpiration.

Water of life
Without water there Breaking
would be no life on the cycle
Earth. Even plants and Humans break the water
animals that live in very cycle in several ways. We
dry places, such as dam rivers, suck up water
from underground, and
deserts, need some use water for washing
water to stay alive. and drinking.

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