Where does the rain go next?
Follow water through the atmosphere, across the land, and below the surface.
Water moves into the air
Energy from the sun helps liquid water become water vapor. Plants also release water through transpiration.
- 01 / EVAPORATE
Water moves into the air
Energy from the sun helps liquid water become water vapor. Plants also release water through transpiration.
- 02 / CONDENSE
Clouds take shape
Water vapor can condense into droplets. Clouds can also contain ice crystals.
- 03 / PRECIPITATE
Water returns to the surface
Water falls as rain, snow, or other forms of precipitation when conditions allow.
- 04 / RUNOFF
Some water travels over land
Water can flow across the surface and through streams and rivers toward larger bodies of water.
- 05 / INFILTRATE
Some water enters the ground
Water can soak into soil and move into groundwater. It may remain stored or later return to surface water.
- 06 / RECONNECT
There is more than one path
Oceans, air, ice, soil, and groundwater store water. Transfers between them form a connected system rather than a single simple circuit.