Module 2: LandformsThe hydrological or water cycle is an important topic in geology related to time and the formation of landforms. These are the phases in which water on Earth transforms from liquid to gaseous, solid or liquid again (American Water Works Association, 2002). The hydrologic cycle and two different examples of it on Earth are discussed below. An example is Panama, which is a tropical climate. The other is the Mojave Desert in California, which is a desert climate. These two very different climates demonstrate the hydrological cycle in practical terms. Water has three phases: liquid, gas and solid. Water on Earth can be liquid as rain, streams, or oceans. It can be a solid such as hail, ice or snow. It can be a gas such as steam, vapor or clouds. As described by the Department of Atmospheric Sciences (2010), the hydrological cycle is the process of transformation of water from the liquid state to the gaseous state and the solid state. The sun's energy drives changes in the water. When water is heated, it evaporates, turning into a gas to form steam or vapor. Water vapor rises with the warm air which, when it meets the colder air, condenses to form clouds. These clouds and water vapor can be transported around the world. Precipitation occurs when water falls to Earth, at warmer temperatures as a liquid and at warmer temperatures, as a solid. On Earth, precipitation can evaporate again or seep into the Earth to become groundwater. As groundwater it can collect in oceans, rivers or on snow-capped peaks and glaciers. It can also be released back into the atmosphere through transpiration, when water evaporates from soil and trees. When the water evaporates, the cycle begins again. An example of the hydrological cycle is the rainforest in the Republic of Pan...... at the center of the article ......ric Science (2010). A summary of the hydrological cycle. Retrieved from http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hyd/smry.rxml. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.Moeller, Karla (July 24, 2013). Revealing the rainforest. ASU - Ask a Biologist. Retrieved November 29, 2013, from http://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/rainforestThe USGS Water Science School (2013, March 8). The water cycle: evapotranspiration. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved from http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleevapotranspiration.htmlWorldAtlas.com (n/d). Central America. Retrieved from http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/imagee.htmWorldAtlas.com (n/a). Panama. Retrieved from http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/camerica/pa.htmWorldAtlas.com (n/d). Panama: weather. Retrieved from http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/camerica/panama/paweather.htm