Listener Question: Where has all the water gone? |
 Dave Thurlow, Host |
Today we have a listener question here on the Weather Notebook. Hi I'm Dave Thurlow. Here's Jack Ross from Stratford, CT who listens to WNNZ in Springfield, MA:
"Is all the water that was ever on the earth still here or isn't it. My boss and I have a small quandary. I say that every drop of water that was ever on the earth is still on the earth and he says that I am a dope. Please tell us which one is right... Thanks."
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Well, Jack, you're right about all of the earth's water that ever was still being here. And I'll bet you're boss is wrong about your being a dope because we are positive here at the Weather Notebook that not one dope has ever asked us a question. So, here's some fodder for your quandary.
The earth is a closed system for all intents and purposes. There is a tiny but balanced molecular exchange with space, but basically since the atmosphere formed a few billion years back, all the water in the earth, on the earth, in the oceans, lakes, streams, glaciers, ice caps, and the atmosphere is still here. It's all just cycling through the water cycle, day after day, year after year, eon after eon.
Just think, that glass of orange juice you had this morning could contain molecules of water that filtered through a glacier over New York City 20,000 years ago, or that ran down your bosses kitchen sink last week.
Thanks for your question. If you have a weather question you'd like answered, give us a call, toll-free at 1-888-724-6001.
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Related Links
Water Science for Schools - USGS
Water Cycle Activity - Score Learning Activities