A description of the circulation of water on Earth involving transfers and storage of water vapor from the Earth’s surface via evapotranspiration into the atmosphere, from the atmosphere via precipitation back to earth, and through infiltration to groundwater, runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes, and ultimately into the oceans.. The sun is the energy source that raises water from the oceans and land into the atmosphere. The force of gravity influences the surface and subsurface movement of water on land. Hydrologic system is a more accurate description.