•In what forms and where do we find water on Earth?•What are the causes and effects of floods?

Forms saltwater—97 percent of world’s water freshwater—most frozen in ice caps; less than

1 percent in vapor and liquid form Where liquid fresh water is found

surface water—in rivers, lakes, estuaries, wetlands

groundwater—stored in soil and water table

Causes—heavy rains, sudden snow melts; human activity may contribute

Effects—erosion, loss of vegetation, death and destruction

SECTION 2The Hydrosphere

Evaporation:energy transforms water into vapor.

Condensation:as water vapor rises it forms droplets.

Surface Water

Precipitation:droplets may become heavy enough to fall as rain, snow, or hail.