Millenia has a tremendous amount of water, but almost all of it is in the oceans. The ocean covers about 90 percent of  planet Millenia.  Ocean water is too salty to be used for drinking , future agriculture and industry. The salt is left behind  during evaporation, and the precipitation that falls to Millenia is fresh water.  There are few rivers and lakes since Millenia is only 10% land. The fresh water contained in the rivers and lakes is utilized by land  animals to drink.              Some of the precipitation  that falls on land is absorbed  by plants that seem to be a form of cactus. This cactus is able to absorb about 70 gallons (260 liters of water a day). Vapor  is carried by the air moving over Millenia The moisture filled air cools whenever it is forced up by colder air or by mountains or hills. As the cool the vapor condenses into droplet of liquid, this in turn forms water clouds. The droplets fall to Millenia as rain. On planet earth when the vapor is chilled enough, it condenses in the ice crystals and falls as snow, but on Millenia this does not occur because of the year-round tropical weather. About 85 percent of the precipitation falls back directly on the oceans. From the rivers it flows back to the sea. The rest of the precipitation soaks into Millenia ground. The ground water slowly makes its way through the ground and eventually empties into the rivers and seas. This movement of ground water to river keeps the river flowing during periods without rain.           How Water Shapes Millenia     Water changes the face of Millenia. Water moves through the great water cycle. Water wears down the limited mountains and carves valleys, and cuts deep canyons. It also build deltas and straightens coastline. During precipitation some water falls on highlands and mountains. The force of gravity pulls the water downhill. As the water flows to lower levels it erodes (wears away) the soil and rocks. We have seen areas  in which  mountains were worn down by water run-off. According to rock samples and data, this has occurred over a thousands of years. The water run-off  has also cut small channels. The small channels drain in larger channels, until finally the water empties into the main stream that runs to the sea. The water then flows to the sea, carrying materials it has eroded from the land.                  How Water Began in Millenia     Our team of scientists believe that Millenia was formed from materials that came from the the hot sun. These materials included the elements that make up water. As  Millenia cools and grows solid,  water was trapped in rocks in Millenias crust. The water gradually releases, and the ocean basin filled with water.      At one time or another, all the water on Millenia enters the air, or atmosphere, as water vapor. This vapor becomes the life-giving rain that falls to Millenia. Yet, the atmosphere contains only one thousandth of 1 percent of Millenia's water. Moisture in the air comes mostly from evaporation. The sun's heat evaporates water from land, lakes, rivers, waterfall, and streams. Plants also add moisture. After plants have drawn water from the ground through their roots, they pass it out through their leaves. This process is called transpiration.               RETURN TO TOP

diana ontiveros dontive@calstatela.edu