The hydrologic cycle starts from the evaporation of the water from the surface of the

ocean. The moist air is lifted and as it cools and the water vapor condenses clouds are formed.

These moisture travel around the global until it finally returns to the surface as precipitation. One

of two things may happen when the water reaches the ground. First option is that the water may

evaporate back into the atmosphere. The other option is that the water may end up penetrating

the surface to turn into groundwater. Then the groundwater can seep its way back into the

streams, rivers, oceans, or simply go back into the atmosphere through transpiration. Any water

that remains on the surface is considered a runoff which will eventually empty into streams,

rivers, lakes, where it is carried back into the ocean to start the cycle again.

Ground water use can cause a variety of problems such as the lowering of the water table

causing wells to no longer be able to reach ground water and land subsidence (such as the San

Joaquin Valley telephone pole and the Leaning Tower of Giza) which causes the soil to collapse,

compact, and drop.

Unconfined aquifer is when water seeps from the ground surface directly to the aquifer

while confined aquifer have a dirt/rock layer to prevent water from seeping into the aquifer from

the surface above.

An artesian well is a well that does not require a pump to draw the water to the surface.

When there is enough pressure in the aquifer the pressure forces the water to the surface.

Two major aquifers in the US are the San Diego Formation used to provide public water

supply and the Snake River Aquifer near the Yellowstone National Park.