Oceanography and Hydrology

While most fresh water is in glaciers, groundwater accounts for approximately 30% of the Earth's fresh water supply.

Scientific models suggest that a sea-level rise of 10 meters would inundate significant portions of coastal land, including about 25% of the US.

A strait is a narrow, natural passage of water that connects two larger bodies of water.

A pond is a small body of still water, either natural or artificial, that is smaller than a lake.

A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake, or another river.

A bay is a body of water partially surrounded by land, often providing a sheltered area for ships.

A peninsula is a piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water but is connected to the mainland on one side.

An island is a piece of land surrounded entirely by water.

An ocean is a very large expanse of sea, in particular each of the main areas into which the sea is divided geographically.

A lake is a large body of water surrounded by land.

A delta is a landform created by the deposition of sediment that is carried by a river as the flow leaves its mouth and enters slower-moving or stagnant water.

A waterfall is a point in a river or stream where water flows over a vertical drop or a series of drops.

Run-off refers to the water from rain, snowmelt, or other sources that flows over the land surface and eventually reaches streams, rivers, and oceans.

Approximately 97 percent of the Earth's water is contained in the oceans, making them the largest reservoir of water on the planet.

Evaporation is the process where liquid water turns into water vapor. This phase change requires heat energy, which is provided by the sun in the natural water cycle.