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 2 The 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.