Global water cycle Exam 3

Question 1

The global water cycle is the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere, involving processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and storage

Answer 1

the global water cycle

Question 2

Name the three major stores in the global water cycle.

Answer 2

1. The atmosphere
2. The oceans
3. The cryosphere (ice and snow)

Question 3

freshwater only makes up ______ of global budget

Answer 3

2.5%

Question 4

surface freshwater water makes up only _____ of Total

Answer 4

0.4%

Question 5

-tiny fraction of budget but flux through them is relatively large
-residence time < 2 weeks

Answer 5

Rivers and atmosphere

Question 6

-much larger part of budget but flux is slow
-residence time > 10,000 years

Answer 6

Groundwater and ice

Question 7

What determines net water balance?

Answer 7

precipitation, evaporation over water, evapotranspiration on land (reference ET and aridity)

Question 8

Net evaporation = evaporation - precipitation

Answer 8

water budget

Question 9

net evaporation highest at _______ front

Answer 9

subtropical

Question 10

What drives the global water cycle?

Answer 10

Solar energy (insolation) and gravity.

Question 11

What is a “store” in the water cycle?

Answer 11

A location where water is held, such as oceans, glaciers, or groundwater.

Question 12

What is a “flux” in the water cycle?

Answer 12

The movement or transfer of water between stores, e.g., evaporation or precipitation.

Question 13

What is the largest water store on Earth?

Answer 13

The oceans, holding approximately 97% of Earth’s water.

Question 14

The average time a water molecule stays in a store.

Answer 14

residence time

Question 15

The process by which water is converted from liquid to vapor and rises into the atmosphere.

Answer 15

evaporation

Question 16

The process where water vapor cools and changes back into liquid droplets, forming clouds.

Answer 16

condensation

Question 17

Water released from clouds in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Answer 17

precipitation

Question 18

The process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.

Answer 18

infiltration

Question 19

The downward movement of water through soil and rock layers to become groundwater.

Answer 19

percolation

Question 20

The release of water vapor from plants into the atmosphere.

Answer 20

transpiration

Question 21

The direct change of water from solid (ice) to gas (vapor) without becoming liquid.

Answer 21

sublimation

Question 22

An area of land where precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, such as a river.

Answer 22

drainage basin

Question 23

A ridge of high land separating two drainage basins.

Answer 23

watershed

Question 24

Name key inputs into a drainage basin.

Answer 24

Precipitation (rain, snow)

Question 25

Name key outputs from a drainage basin.

Answer 25

Evapotranspiration and river discharge

Question 26

Water that runs down the stems and trunks of plants during rainfall

Answer 26

stemflow

Question 27

Water that drips off leaves to the ground during rainfall

Answer 27

throughfall

Question 28

How do storms and precipitation affect the water cycle?

Answer 28

Increase runoff and infiltration, depending on intensity and duration

Question 29

How do seasonal changes affect the water cycle?

Answer 29

Influence rates of evapotranspiration, snowmelt, and precipitation patterns.

Question 30

How does urbanisation impact the water cycle?

Answer 30

Reduces infiltration, increases runoff due to impermeable surfaces.

Question 31

How does deforestation affect the water cycle?

Answer 31

Reduces transpiration and interception, increases runoff and erosion.

Question 32

How does farming influence the water cycle?

Answer 32

Irrigation increases evapotranspiration; ploughing affects infiltration rates.

Question 33

The part of the Earth system containing frozen water—glaciers, ice caps, and permafrost.

Answer 33

cryosphere

Question 34

How does melting of the cryosphere affect the global water cycle?

Answer 34

increases sea level, alters ocean currents, and contributes to feedback loops.

Question 35

Ground that remains frozen for at least two years; melting releases greenhouse gases like methane.

Answer 35

permafrost

Question 36

How has urbanization affected the water cycle in the Amazon?

Answer 36

Reduced evapotranspiration and increased surface runoff due to deforestation and road building.

Question 37

What impact did Hurricane Harvey (2017) have on the water cycle?

Answer 37

Extreme precipitation caused massive flooding due to overwhelmed drainage systems and impervious surfaces in Houston.

Question 38

What is the significance of the Arctic in the water cycle?

Answer 38

Contains vast ice stores; melting contributes to sea level rise and alters albedo (reflectivity), which intensifies warming.

Question 39

A balance between inputs and outputs of water in a system.

Answer 39

water budget

Question 40

The annual pattern of flow of a river, influenced by precipitation, temperature, and land use.

Answer 40

river regime

Question 41

A graph showing how a river responds to a rainfall event.

Answer 41

storm hydrograph

Question 42

How do dams and reservoirs alter the water cycle?

Answer 42

Interrupt natural flow, increase evaporation, and change sediment transport.

Question 43

What are the consequences of over-abstraction of groundwater?

Answer 43

Lower water tables, land subsidence, and reduced river flow.

Question 44

How does climate change impact the water cycle?

Answer 44

Alters precipitation patterns, increases extreme weather events, and accelerates cryospheric melt.