Where Water Originally Comes From and Other Facts About Our Waters

Earth's water originated from a combination of sources. Asteroids, containing water-rich minerals, bombarded the early Earth. Additionally, volcanic activity released water vapor from the planet's interior. Over millions of years, this process contributed to the formation of oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water. The water cycle, involving evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, continuously replenishes and distributes water across the globe. The properties of water, such as its high surface tension and its ability to dissolve various substances, make it essential for life as we know it.