What best describes the hydrologic cycle?

The hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle, encompasses the continuous movement of water within the Earth and its atmosphere. It includes various processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. The correct description highlights the cyclical nature of these processes, where water evaporates from the Earth's surface, moves into the atmosphere, condenses to form clouds, and eventually returns to the surface as precipitation. This cycle is crucial for maintaining ecosystems, influencing weather patterns, and replenishing freshwater sources.

While options such as complete evaporation, focusing solely on the precipitation phase, or storage in aquifers describe aspects of the water movement, they do not encapsulate the full scope of the hydrologic cycle. The cycle is about the interconnected processes of water moving through different states and locations, rather than isolated components.