Search USGS⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · gip221

The water cycle

Hayley R. Corson-Dosch·Cee S. Nell·Rachel E. Volentine·Althea A. Archer·Ellen Bechtel·Jennifer L. Bruce·Nicole Felts·Tara A. Gross·Dianne Lopez-Trujillo·Charlotte E. Riggs·Emily Read
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

An illustrated diagram of the water cycle. This is a modern, updated version of the widely used diagram featured on the USGS Water Science School. Notably, this new water cycle diagram depicts humans and major categories of human water use as key components of the water cycle, in addition to the key pools and fluxes of the hydrologic cycle. This product targets an 8th grade audience and is designed to be printed as a poster.

Explore related subjects

General Information ProductReport

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Hayley R. Corson-Dosch, Cee S. Nell, Rachel E. Volentine, Althea A. Archer, Ellen Bechtel, Jennifer L. Bruce, Nicole Felts, Tara A. Gross, Dianne Lopez-Trujillo, Charlotte E. Riggs, Emily Read. 2023-02-22. The water cycle. https://doi.org/10.3133/gip221

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

Volcanoes are mighty mountains

Volcanoes are evidence of the remarkable journey of molten rock, which begins miles (kilometers) beneath our feet. What happens on magma’s ascent determines whether it erupts explosively (like Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980), oozes lava (like Mount St. Helens during its 2004–2008 dome-building event), or cools and crystallizes underground, never to erupt at all. This two-page educational activity uses a conceptual model of a stratovolcano to connect volcanic processes with personal growth. On page 1, students explore how magma is generated and moves through the crust to form a volcano, using core concepts we can relate to: strengths, support, challenges, motivations, and goals. On page 2, students reflect on their own journeys to draw parallels between what happens at volcanoes and how personal motivations and challenges shape them, just as magma shapes volcanoes, and volcanoes transform landscapes.

General Information Product↗
USGS2026

Key minerals in energy transmission

The electrical grid relies on minerals with unique properties to transform, transmit, and convert electricity. Transmission needs are growing—to support the expansion of data centers and link diverse energy resources into the grid. This expansion will require greater quantities of minerals. Although some minerals are produced in the United States, the United States relies on imports for others. This infographic shows the key minerals that support energy transmission, and how reliant the United States is on imports for these minerals.

General Information Product↗
USGS2026

3D Elevation Program—Hawaii

Using 3D Elevation Program data, a modern illustration of each State's landscape showcases its elevation differences in vivid detail. Each State has been consistently adjusted and colorized according to its highest and lowest elevations, accentuating differences even in States with low relief. To further emphasize landforms, shaded relief has been added on top of the elevation colors.

Hawaii↗