THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Water cycling through the atmosphere is arguably the most significant environmental process in the physical geography of planet Earth.

Condensing clouds control the planetary albedo and temperature. Rain over the continents collects into rivers that erode and shape the landscape. Patterns of rainfall determine whether deserts or forests cover the surface.

In this chapter, we'll track water as it enters and leaves the air and discuss some of the phenomena associated with this cycling.

Photo: water enters the air by evaporation from the surface, condenses to form clouds, and returns to the surface by rainfall as shown in this raincloud over Lana'i.