Vesikehä

Vesikehä is a Finnish term that translates to "water ring" or "water cycle." It refers to the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. This natural process is essential for sustaining life and shaping the planet's landscapes.

The water cycle begins with evaporation, where water from oceans, lakes, rivers, and even soil turns into water vapor and rises into the atmosphere. Plants also contribute through transpiration, releasing water vapor from their leaves. As this water vapor ascends, it cools and condenses, forming clouds.

When the water droplets or ice crystals in clouds become heavy enough, they fall back to Earth as precipitation. This can take various forms, including rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Once on the ground, precipitation can follow several paths. It may infiltrate the soil, becoming groundwater, or flow over the surface as runoff, eventually returning to rivers, lakes, and oceans. Some water is also stored in glaciers and ice caps.

The water cycle is a closed system, meaning the total amount of water on Earth remains relatively constant. However, the distribution and form of this water are constantly changing. This dynamic process plays a crucial role in weather patterns, climate regulation, and the availability of freshwater resources for ecosystems and human societies. Understanding the vesikehä is fundamental to environmental science and resource management.