Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 16 - Section 16.1 - Earth as a System: The Hydrologic Cycle - Concept Checks - Page 469: 3

Answer

Over the oceans, evaporation exceeds precipitation, resulting in a net loss of water from the ocean surface. However, the sea level does not drop because the excess water evaporated from the ocean is balanced by water flowing into the oceans from rivers, melting glaciers, and ice caps. Additionally, the movement of ocean currents redistributes water around the globe. The inflow of water from rivers and other sources, along with the balancing effect of ocean currents, compensates for the water lost through evaporation, maintaining a relatively stable sea level over time.

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