HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

Domain	Definition
Environment	Movement or exchange of water between the atmosphere and earth. (references)
	The circulation of water from the sea, through the atmosphere, to the land, and thence, often with many delays, back to the sea or ocean through various stages and processes as precipitation, interception, runoff, infiltration, percolation, ground-water storage, evaporation and transpiration, also the many short circuits of the water that is returned to the atmosphere without reaching the sea. Source: European Union. (references)
Geography	The circuit of water movement from the atmosphere to the Earth and subsequent return to the atmosphere through various stages or processes such as precipitation, runoff, evaporation and condensation. Source: European Union. (references)
Hydrologic	The cyclic transfer of water vapor from the Earth's surface via evapotranspiration into the atmosphere, from the atmosphere via precipitation back to earth, and through runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes, and ultimately into the oceans. (references)
	The natural pathway water follows as it changes between liquid, solid, and gaseous states. (references)
Mining	The constant circulation of water from the sea, through the atmosphere, to the land, and its eventual return to the atmosphere by way of transpiration and evaporation from the sea and the land surfaces.Syn:water cycle. (references)
Weather	The process of evaporation, vertical and horizontal transport of vapor, condensation, precipitation, and the flow of water from continents to oceans. It is a major factor in determining climate through its influence on surface vegetation, the clouds, snow and ice, and soil moisture. The hydrologic cycle is responsible for 25 to 30 percent of the mid-latitudes' heat transport from the equatorial to polar regions. (references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Specialty Definition: Hydrologic cycle

The hydrologic cycle (also called the water cycle) refers to the continuous motion of water between the oceans and seas, land, and atmosphere. It may be divided into three main phases: evaporation, precipitation, and runoff.

Evaporation is the movement of water from the oceans to the atmosphere. Along with strict evaporation, it includes transpiration from plants; thus, it is sometimes called evapotranspiration.
Atmospheric moisture may condense into clouds, and fall from them as precipitation. This usually occurs as rain, but snow and other forms are also seen. Precipitation seldom falls in the oceans, because under normal circumstances, mountain ranges are needed to induce condensation and the formation of clouds.
Runoff is the variety of ways in which water on the land finds its way back down to the oceans. The water flows through rivers, some of them subterranean, and may be delayed in lakes and aquifers. Not all water completes the runoff phase; some of it evaporates before it reaches the oceans.

Frequency of Internet Keywords: HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

Anagrams: HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams
	Words within the letters "c-c-c-d-e-g-h-i-l-l-o-o-r-y-y"
	-5 letters: hydrologic.
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