Hydrological cycle (Q685)
Subject, term, tag: Hydrological cycle
| Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Hydrological cycle |
Subject, term, tag: Hydrological cycle |
Statements
IPCC Glossary v1.5
1 reference
27 May 2026
The cycle in which water evaporates from the ocean and the land surface, is carried over the Earth in atmospheric circulation as water vapour, condenses to form clouds, precipitates over the ocean and land as rain or snow, which on land can be intercepted by trees and vegetation, potentially accumulating as snow or ice, provides runoff on the land surface, infiltrates into soils, recharges groundwater, discharges into streams, and ultimately, flows into the oceans as rivers, polar glaciers and ice sheets, from which it will eventually evaporate again. The various systems involved in the hydrological cycle are usually referred to as hydrological systems. (English)
IPCC Glossary v1.5
1 reference
27 May 2026