The hydrologic cycle is one of three cycles that make up the Earth system. The Earth system has four reservoirs that water moves along, and is also where the hydrologic cycle takes place. These reservoirs include the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. The water cycle begins in the ocean, in which solar energy allows water to evaporate, moving the water into the atmosphere. After this step, the evaporated water is condensed into the clouds, and is later released into the land or ocean by precipitation. Then, the water returns to the atmosphere again by evaporation, and some infiltrates into the ground where it may stay in the lithosphere to be hydrous minerals. Some of the water that is underground is released back into the sea and a small amount is kept and protected by...