The diagram below shows the water cycle which is the continuous movement of water on above and below the surface of the Earth

The diagram illustrates the ongoing process of the water passing from ocean to air to land, which is known as the water cycle.

How does the process unfold? There are 3 main stages shown on the diagram: evaporation of ocean water, precipitation and dripping water to the sea. The evaporation which contributes 80% of water vapor in the air coming from the oceans is awarded the first stage in the diagram. Heat evaporates the water which is turned into water vapor condensing to form clouds. At the second stage, there presently is precipitation, which is the amount of water falling on the ground coming second in this process.

The last stage in the diagram, the rainwater is stored in lakes after falling into the ground. Again, this water forms snow at the top of the mountain. While some of the water may reach the impervious layer of the earth, the other returns to the ocean via surface runoff, perhaps reflecting in high levels of groundwater and saltwater intrusion. This process will take place continuously if the water falls into the sea.

Clearly, the water cycle, which is required to produce water from ocean to land, consists of three stages without losing overall coherence.