Browse Water Cycle Resources

Subtopics:

Water Properties, Earth Systems, Technology, Remote Sensing, Data

Type:

Audience:

Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

sea surface temperature, salinity, density, ocean circulation

Keywords:

Summary:

The animations in this group show the long-term average sea surface temperature, the long term average sea surface salinity, and the the long term average sea surface density.

The Thermohaline Circulation - The Great Ocean Conveyor Belt

Primary Topic:

Water Properties, Earth Systems, Energy Cycle

Subtopics:

Type:

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8

Standards:

Keywords:

ocean, density, salinity, ocean temperature, ocean circulation, thermohaline, ocean currents

Summary:

The oceans are mostly composed of warm salty water near the surface over cold, less salty water in the ocean depths. These two regions don't mix except in certain special areas, which creates a large slow current called the thermohaline circulation.

NASA Scientists Research Global Precipitation

Primary Topic:

Subtopics:

Precipitation, Climate, Remote Sensing, Data

Type:

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS2.C, ETS2.A

Keywords:

infrared, microwave, circulation, climatology, GPCP

Summary:

This animation of global precipitation cycles through the climatology data for the twelve months of the year and then repeats the cycle twice.

Aquarius Ocean Circulation

Primary Topic:

Subtopics:

Water Properties, Weather and Climate, Climate, Satellites, Remote Sensing

Type:

Audience:

Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.D, ESS3.D

Keywords:

ocean currents, density, energy cycle, salinity, ocean temperature, climate change, wind

Summary:

Ocean circulation plays a key role in distributing solar energy and maintaining climate, by moving heat from Earth's equator to the poles. Aquarius salinity data, combined with data from other sensors, will give us a clearer picture of how the ocean works

Components of the Water Cycle on a Flat Map

Primary Topic:

Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Earth Systems, Weather and Climate, Energy Cycle

Subtopics:

Type:

evaporation, sea surface temperature, water vapor, atmosphere

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.C

Keywords:

Summary:

The process by which water moves around the earth, from the ocean, to the atmosphere, to the land and back to the ocean is called the water cycle. These animations each portray a component of the water cycle.

Components of the Water Cycle

Primary Topic:

Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Earth Systems, Energy Cycle

Subtopics:

Type:

evaporation, sea surface temperature, water vapor, atmosphere

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.C

Keywords:

Summary:

The process by which water moves around the earth, from the ocean, to the atmosphere, to the land and back to the ocean is called the water cycle. These animations each portray a component of the water cycle.

GPM Water Cycle Droplet Handout

Primary Topic:

Hydrologic Cycle, Satellites, Freshwater Resources

Subtopics:

Type:

Image

Audience:

Outreach, Formal, General

Standards:

GPM Core Observatory, transpiration, evaporation, groundwater

Keywords:

Summary:

Educational handout in the shape of a raindrop. The front shows a diagram of the water cycle, and the back has information about GPM and facts about water.

NASA Earth Science: Water Cycle

Primary Topic:

Hydrologic Cycle, Earth Systems

Subtopics:

Type:

Article

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.C

Keywords:

circulation, oceans, salinity, water vapor, groundwater

Summary:

This article explains the basics behind the water cycle and includes many good visuals. It provides some good background information about our water cycle as well as providing students with many real-world applications.

Earth's Water Cycle

Primary Topic:

Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Type:

Audience:

Informal, 6 - 8, General

Standards:

ESS2.C, ESS2.D, ETS2.A, ETS2.B

Keywords:

freshwater, evaporation, condensation

Summary:

This animation uses Earth science data from a variety of sensors on NASA Earth observing satellites as well as cartoons to describe Earth's water cycle and the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

Earth Observatory Water Cycle Overview

Primary Topic:

Hydrologic Cycle, Water Properties, Societal Applications

Subtopics:

Type:

Article

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, General

Standards: