What are the twelve steps of the water cycle?

The water cycle consists of several key processes:

1. Evaporation - Water from oceans, rivers, and lakes transforms into vapor.
2. Transpiration - Water is released from plants into the atmosphere.
3. Condensation - Water vapor cools and forms clouds.
4. Precipitation - Water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
5. Infiltration - Water seeps into the ground and replenishes groundwater.
6. Runoff - Water flows over land back into bodies of water.
7. Collection - Water gathers in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
8. Sublimation - Ice and snow convert directly to vapor without melting.
9. Deposition - Water vapor changes directly into ice, forming frost.
10. Groundwater flow - Water moves through soil and rock layers underground.
11. Surface runoff - Excess water flows over the ground into larger bodies.
12. Ocean currents - Water circulates in oceans, influencing climate and weather patterns.

These steps continuously cycle, maintaining the Earth's water supply.