The Monsoon Effect : Rainfall and Landform Evolution of the Western Ghats
A] What is Water Cycle? Rainfall is not just a part of weather. It is one of the most important natural forces that continuously changes the Earth's surface. Overtime, rain can carve valleys, deepen river channels, trigger the landslides, shape hillsides and transport soil from one place to another. Rainfall shapes the land by softening the rocks, washing away the surface material and moves that material downhill or into the rivers. The Water Cycle consists of some important functions such as : 1] Evaporation: Heat from the sun (solar radiation) warms up the water in oceans and other water resources, turning liquid water into an invisible gas called Water Vapor. 2] Transpiration: Plants releasing water vapor into the air from their leaves is called transpiration. 3] Airflow & Wind: Winds and air currents carry this water vapor high up into the atmosphere. 4] Condensation: As the water vapor rises and meets the cooler air, it cools down and changes from gas back into tiny liqui...