What is the hydrological cycle?

Water cycle, or hydrologic cycle, is a term used to define circulation of water from the atmosphere to the earth and return to the atmosphere through various stages and processes.

Precipitation (rain, hail, snow) is the starting point. A part of precipitated water enters into the ground (that is called groundwater) and a part forms rivers and streams.

Plants, animals and other living creatures (when it is hot) transpire water. From lakes, rivers, streams and oceans some water is evaporated thanks to solar activity.

Human being is able to benefit groundwater to irrigate plants, to use at homes and in industries. This water, when discharged, is returned to the receiving water bodies and the atmosphere by evaporation.

All these processes are parts of the water cycle.

You may be interested in these related Socratic questions: What is the water cycle? Can you explain the processes of condensation, evaporation, and precipitation in the water cycle? Why is the water cycle important to all life on earth?

The hydrological cycle, also known as the water cycle, is the continuous process by which water circulates through the Earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans.