How does the hydrologic cycle move water between oceans, the atmosphere, land, and rivers?

The hydrologic cycle is a continuous process driven by sunlight and gravity that circulates water between the oceans, atmosphere, and land.12

• Evaporation and Transport: Solar energy causes water to evaporate from oceans and land surfaces, entering the atmosphere as water vapour. Winds then transport this moist air over land.134
• Precipitation: In the atmosphere, water vapour condenses to form clouds and eventually returns to Earth’s surface as precipitation.15
• Surface and Groundwater Flow: Once on land, water may become runoff, forming rivers and lakes, or infiltrate the soil to become groundwater. Groundwater moves through aquifers and eventually emerges into streams or flows directly into the ocean.16
• Return to Oceans: Most surface water and groundwater eventually returns to the oceans, where the cycle begins again through evaporation.164

This constant movement is essential for sustaining life and distributing water across the planet.5