Hydrology: Overview

What is Hydrology?

Hydrology is the study of water
"Hydro" comes from the Greek word for water
Water never leaves the Earth, it simply moves around the ‘water cycle’.
A person who studies hydrology is called a hydrologist. 

Fast Facts!

1. The water cycle is essential to life on our planet: without it there would be no plants or animals. Desert habitats, with little rain, are much more barren than other areas of the world.
   
2. Humans are made up of about 75% water.
   
3. The water cycle is powered by the Sun: heat makes water evaporate, before it cools and condenses and falls back to the ground.
   
4. Water can exist in three forms: liquid (water), solid (ice) or gas (water vapor).
   
5. Around two thirds of the world's water is in polar ice caps and glaciers.
   
6. About 70% of he Earth is covered in water. An incredible 97% of Earth's water is in the oceans (this is salty water) and 2% is in the ice caps, leaving only 1% available for us to drink.
   
7. There are underground reservoirs called aquifers. Some water in the ground may stay there for thousands of years.
   
8. You might be drinking water that dinosaurs drank! Because water is recycled and doesn’t leave the Earth or is formed all the water currently on our planet is the same water that has been there for millions of years.
   
9. The Nile is 4132 mile long, making it the longest river in the world.
10. Water can be used to create electricity through a hydro-electric power station.

Hydrology is the study of water and its movement, distribution, and the quality of water, its properties and uses on Earth and by humans. Water is a crucial natural resource for life on Earth. The availability of usable water is limited, and although there is plenty on the planet, it's not always in the right place, at the right time, or of the right quality. Additionally, improper disposal of chemical wastes in the past is contributing to water supply issues today. Hydrology has developed as a science to comprehend Earth's intricate water systems and address water-related challenges. Those who study hydrology can pursue interesting and rewarding careers focused on finding solutions to water problems.

  Water is Life: Water is everywhere, which is fortunate for all of humanity, as water is essential for life. Even though water is not always available in the needed quantity and quality for all people everywhere, people have learned to get and use water for all of their water needs, from drinking, cleaning, irrigating crops, producing electricity, and for just having fun!