The Water Cycle
Hydrological Processes & Systems
Interactive Hydrological Cycle
Interactive Water Cycle Diagram
Hover over processes to see detailed animations.
Key Processes
Evaporation
Sun heats liquid water, turning it into water vapor gas.
Condensation
Water vapor cools and turns back into liquid droplets, forming clouds.
Precipitation
Water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Transpiration
Plants release water vapor through their leaves.
Infiltration
Water soaks into the soil from the ground surface.
Surface Runoff
Water flows over the land surface into rivers and lakes.
Human Impacts on the Water Cycle
Urbanisation
Building roads and cities creates impermeable surfaces (tarmac/concrete). This drastically reduces infiltration and increases surface runoff, leading to higher flood risks.
Deforestation
Removing trees reduces transpiration and interception. Less water is returned to the atmosphere, which can lead to local climate drying and increased soil erosion.