Water covers how much of the earth

If no wells are available, surface geophysical methods can sometimes be used, depending on surface accessibility for placing electric or acoustic probes.

This is not a simple question: it was long thought that Earth formed dry — without water, because of its proximity to the Sun and the high temperatures when the solar system formed. Even then, just 1 percent of our freshwater is easily accessible, with much of it trapped in glaciers and snowfields. Lohitzune Frie Professional. Is the Earth losing water? Earth is not losing water at a meaningful rate because Earth , unlike Mars, has a cold trap in the stratosphere that freezes out most water and keeps it closer to the Earth's surface.

Maki Wilden Professional. How much of Earth's water is fresh? Nikole Buermann Professional. How long is fresh water left? World to run out of water in 50 years. THE world will begin to run out of fresh water by because of the expected population growth to 9. Sahel Talkov Explainer. Can we turn saltwater into freshwater? The process is called desalination, and it is being used more and more around the world to provide people with needed freshwater.

The "simple" hurdle that must be overcome to turn seawater into freshwater is to remove the dissolved salt in seawater. Raiza Nedd Explainer. Can scientists make water? Summary: Scientists have discovered a new way to make water. A water molecule formally known as dihydrogen monoxide is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

But you can 't simply take two hydrogen atoms and stick them onto an oxygen atom. Emmanuelle Thill Explainer. What is the future of water? Felisindo Kachemaev Pundit. What year will we run out of food? However, new research suggests the world could run out of food even sooner. Emergency Management. Survey Manual. The Earth is a watery place. But just how much water exists on, in, and above our planet? Read on to find out. Spheres showing : 1 All water largest sphere over western U. About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered, and the oceans hold about Water also exists in the air as water vapor , in rivers and lakes , in icecaps and glaciers , in the ground as soil moisture and in aquifers , and even in you and your dog.

Water is never sitting still. Thanks to the water cycle , our planet's water supply is constantly moving from one place to another and from one form to another. Things would get pretty stale without the water cycle!

The globe illustration shows blue spheres representing relative amounts of Earth's water in comparison to the size of the Earth. Are you surprised that these water spheres look so small? They are only small in relation to the size of the Earth. This image attempts to show three dimensions, so each sphere represents "volume. The smaller sphere over Kentucky represents Earth's liquid fresh water in groundwater, swamp water, rivers, and lakes.

The volume of this sphere would be about 2,, mi 3 10,, km 3 and form a sphere about Yes, all of this water is fresh water, which we all need every day, but much of it is deep in the ground, unavailable to humans. Do you notice the "tiny" bubble over Atlanta, Georgia? That one represents fresh water in all the lakes and rivers on the planet. Most of the water people and life on earth need every day comes from these surface-water sources.

The volume of this sphere is about 22, mi 3 93, km 3. The diameter of this sphere is about Yes, Lake Michigan looks way bigger than this sphere, but you have to try to imagine a bubble almost 35 miles high—whereas the average depth of Lake Michigan is less than feet 91 meters. But by collaborating to find ways to access the untapped groundwater beneath us, helping to conserve clean water use, and preventing further pollution of our clean water sources, it is possible for all peoples to have access to clean water.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article on answering the question: what is the percentage of drinkable water on earth. We'd love to hear your feedback in the comments section below. If you've found this article to be useful and are interested in learning more, be sure to sign up for our newsletter.

Bureau of Reclamation. Water Facts - Worldwide Water. Water conflict in Pakistan's tribal region leaves dozens dead. Mapping environmental conflicts and cooperation. Groundwater Association. Information on Earth's water - National Groundwater Association. National Geographic. Ocean Service. Can humans drink seawater? Perlman, H. Where is Earth's water? How Much Water is on and in the Earth. Postel, S.

Shahan, Z. United Nations. Water scarcity.