How much water is there? This side-by-side comparison illustrates Earth’s water, including total water, ocean water, frozen water, groundwater, and water in lakes & rivers.
What is the Earth's "water cycle?"
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes where water is stored on Earth and how it moves.
Water is stored in the atmosphere, on the land surface, and below the ground. It can be a liquid, a solid, or a gas. Liquid water can be fresh or saline (salty).
Water moves between the places it is stored. It moves at large scales (through watersheds, the atmosphere, and below the Earth's surface) and at very small scales (in people, in plants, and in other organisms).
Water moves both naturally and through the actions of humans. Energy from the sun and the force of gravity drive the continual movement of water on Earth. Human activities impact the water cycle by affecting where water is stored, how it moves, and how clean it is.
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Related
How much water is used by people in the United States? How much water is used by people in the United States?
Since 1950, the USGS has collected and analyzed water-use data for the United States and its Territories. That data is revised every 5 years. As of 2015, the United States uses 322 billion gallons of water per day (Bgal/day). The three largest water-use categories were irrigation (118 Bgal/day), thermoelectric power (133 Bgal/day), and public supply (39 Bgal/day), cumulatively accounting for 90...
How much natural water is there? How much natural water is there?
Earth is estimated to hold about 1,386,000,000 cubic kilometers of water. The breakdown of where all that water resides is estimated as follows: Oceans (saline) 1,338,000,000 cubic kilometers Ice caps and glaciers (fresh) 24,064,000 cubic kilometers Groundwater (fresh and saline) 23,400,000 cubic kilometers Streams, lakes, swamps (fresh) 104,590 cubic kilometers Lakes (saline) 85,400 cubic...
How do we benefit from USGS streamgages? How do we benefit from USGS streamgages?
Information on the flow of rivers is a vital national asset that safeguards lives, protects property, and ensures adequate water supplies for the future. The USGS is the federal agency responsible for operating a network of about 7,000 streamgages nationwide. Data from this network are used by water managers, emergency responders, utilities, environmental agencies, universities, consulting firms...
What is groundwater? What is groundwater?
Groundwater is water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface. The upper surface of the saturated zone is called the water table. Contrary to popular belief, groundwater does not form underground rivers. It fills the pores and fractures in underground materials such as sand, gravel, and other rock, much the same way that water fills a sponge. If groundwater flows...
How much water is there on Earth?
How much water is there? This side-by-side comparison illustrates Earth’s water, including total water, ocean water, frozen water, groundwater, and water in lakes & rivers.
El Ciclo del Agua - The Water Cycle, Spanish (PNG)
El Ciclo del Agua - The Water Cycle, Spanish (PNG)Este diagrama, publicado en 2022, representa el ciclo global del agua. Muestra cómo el uso humano del agua afecta dónde se almacena el agua, cómo se mueve y qué tan limpia es. Este diagrama está disponible en inglés y en español.
El Ciclo del Agua - The Water Cycle, Spanish (PNG)
El Ciclo del Agua - The Water Cycle, Spanish (PNG)Este diagrama, publicado en 2022, representa el ciclo global del agua. Muestra cómo el uso humano del agua afecta dónde se almacena el agua, cómo se mueve y qué tan limpia es. Este diagrama está disponible en inglés y en español.
The Water Cycle (PNG)
This diagram, released in 2022, depicts the global water cycle. It shows how human water use affects where water is stored, how it moves, and how clean it is. This diagram is available in English and Spanish.
This diagram, released in 2022, depicts the global water cycle. It shows how human water use affects where water is stored, how it moves, and how clean it is. This diagram is available in English and Spanish.
Drippy: Did you know? Evaporation & precipitation
Hey, I'm Drippy!
All of Earth's water in a single sphere!
This image shows blue spheres representing relative amounts of Earth's water in comparison to the size of the Earth. Are you surprised that these water spheres look so small? They are only small in relation to the size of the Earth.
This image shows blue spheres representing relative amounts of Earth's water in comparison to the size of the Earth. Are you surprised that these water spheres look so small? They are only small in relation to the size of the Earth.
The Water Cycle for Kids
Learn About Water!
El Ciclo del Agua Para Niños, The Water Cycle for Schools, Spanish
El Ciclo del Agua Para Niños, The Water Cycle for Schools, SpanishEl Ciclo del Agua Para Niños
El Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos (USGS por sus siglas en inglés) y la Organización de Alimento y Agricultura de las Naciones Unidas (FAO) han colaborado en la creación de un diagrama sobre el ciclo del agua para niños de las escuelas elementales e intermedias.
El Ciclo del Agua
El Ciclo del Agua Para Niños, The Water Cycle for Schools, Spanish
El Ciclo del Agua Para Niños, The Water Cycle for Schools, SpanishEl Ciclo del Agua Para Niños
El Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos (USGS por sus siglas en inglés) y la Organización de Alimento y Agricultura de las Naciones Unidas (FAO) han colaborado en la creación de un diagrama sobre el ciclo del agua para niños de las escuelas elementales e intermedias.
El Ciclo del Agua
The Water Planet
Viewed from space, the most striking feature of our planet is the water. In both liquid and frozen form, it covers 75% of the Earth's surface. It fills the sky with clouds. Water is practically everywhere on Earth, from inside the planet's rocky crust to inside the cells of the human body.
Viewed from space, the most striking feature of our planet is the water. In both liquid and frozen form, it covers 75% of the Earth's surface. It fills the sky with clouds. Water is practically everywhere on Earth, from inside the planet's rocky crust to inside the cells of the human body.
Related
How much water is used by people in the United States? How much water is used by people in the United States?
Since 1950, the USGS has collected and analyzed water-use data for the United States and its Territories. That data is revised every 5 years. As of 2015, the United States uses 322 billion gallons of water per day (Bgal/day). The three largest water-use categories were irrigation (118 Bgal/day), thermoelectric power (133 Bgal/day), and public supply (39 Bgal/day), cumulatively accounting for 90...
How much natural water is there? How much natural water is there?
Earth is estimated to hold about 1,386,000,000 cubic kilometers of water. The breakdown of where all that water resides is estimated as follows: Oceans (saline) 1,338,000,000 cubic kilometers Ice caps and glaciers (fresh) 24,064,000 cubic kilometers Groundwater (fresh and saline) 23,400,000 cubic kilometers Streams, lakes, swamps (fresh) 104,590 cubic kilometers Lakes (saline) 85,400 cubic...
How do we benefit from USGS streamgages? How do we benefit from USGS streamgages?
Information on the flow of rivers is a vital national asset that safeguards lives, protects property, and ensures adequate water supplies for the future. The USGS is the federal agency responsible for operating a network of about 7,000 streamgages nationwide. Data from this network are used by water managers, emergency responders, utilities, environmental agencies, universities, consulting firms...
What is groundwater? What is groundwater?
Groundwater is water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface. The upper surface of the saturated zone is called the water table. Contrary to popular belief, groundwater does not form underground rivers. It fills the pores and fractures in underground materials such as sand, gravel, and other rock, much the same way that water fills a sponge. If groundwater flows...
How much water is there on Earth?
How much water is there? This side-by-side comparison illustrates Earth’s water, including total water, ocean water, frozen water, groundwater, and water in lakes & rivers.
How much water is there? This side-by-side comparison illustrates Earth’s water, including total water, ocean water, frozen water, groundwater, and water in lakes & rivers.
El Ciclo del Agua - The Water Cycle, Spanish (PNG)
El Ciclo del Agua - The Water Cycle, Spanish (PNG)Este diagrama, publicado en 2022, representa el ciclo global del agua. Muestra cómo el uso humano del agua afecta dónde se almacena el agua, cómo se mueve y qué tan limpia es. Este diagrama está disponible en inglés y en español.
El Ciclo del Agua - The Water Cycle, Spanish (PNG)
El Ciclo del Agua - The Water Cycle, Spanish (PNG)Este diagrama, publicado en 2022, representa el ciclo global del agua. Muestra cómo el uso humano del agua afecta dónde se almacena el agua, cómo se mueve y qué tan limpia es. Este diagrama está disponible en inglés y en español.
The Water Cycle (PNG)
This diagram, released in 2022, depicts the global water cycle. It shows how human water use affects where water is stored, how it moves, and how clean it is. This diagram is available in English and Spanish.
This diagram, released in 2022, depicts the global water cycle. It shows how human water use affects where water is stored, how it moves, and how clean it is. This diagram is available in English and Spanish.
Drippy: Did you know? Evaporation & precipitation
Hey, I'm Drippy!
All of Earth's water in a single sphere!
This image shows blue spheres representing relative amounts of Earth's water in comparison to the size of the Earth. Are you surprised that these water spheres look so small? They are only small in relation to the size of the Earth.
This image shows blue spheres representing relative amounts of Earth's water in comparison to the size of the Earth. Are you surprised that these water spheres look so small? They are only small in relation to the size of the Earth.
The Water Cycle for Kids
Learn About Water!
El Ciclo del Agua Para Niños, The Water Cycle for Schools, Spanish
El Ciclo del Agua Para Niños, The Water Cycle for Schools, SpanishEl Ciclo del Agua Para Niños
El Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos (USGS por sus siglas en inglés) y la Organización de Alimento y Agricultura de las Naciones Unidas (FAO) han colaborado en la creación de un diagrama sobre el ciclo del agua para niños de las escuelas elementales e intermedias.
El Ciclo del Agua
El Ciclo del Agua Para Niños, The Water Cycle for Schools, Spanish
El Ciclo del Agua Para Niños, The Water Cycle for Schools, SpanishEl Ciclo del Agua Para Niños
El Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos (USGS por sus siglas en inglés) y la Organización de Alimento y Agricultura de las Naciones Unidas (FAO) han colaborado en la creación de un diagrama sobre el ciclo del agua para niños de las escuelas elementales e intermedias.
El Ciclo del Agua
The Water Planet
Viewed from space, the most striking feature of our planet is the water. In both liquid and frozen form, it covers 75% of the Earth's surface. It fills the sky with clouds. Water is practically everywhere on Earth, from inside the planet's rocky crust to inside the cells of the human body.
Viewed from space, the most striking feature of our planet is the water. In both liquid and frozen form, it covers 75% of the Earth's surface. It fills the sky with clouds. Water is practically everywhere on Earth, from inside the planet's rocky crust to inside the cells of the human body.
Updated Date: June 10, 2025