Where is most of Earth's water found?

• A. In the oceans
• B. In rivers and lakes
• C. In glaciers and ice caps
• D. In the atmosphere

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by considering the distribution of water on Earth. Water is found in various forms and locations, including oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, ice caps, and the atmosphere.
2. Understand that the majority of Earth's water is saline and located in the oceans. Oceans cover about 71% of Earth's surface and contain approximately 97% of Earth's water.
3. Consider the freshwater sources, which include glaciers and ice caps, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Glaciers and ice caps hold the majority of Earth's freshwater, but they account for only a small percentage of the total water on Earth.
4. Rivers and lakes, while important for ecosystems and human use, contain a very small fraction of Earth's total water supply compared to oceans and glaciers.
5. The atmosphere contains water in the form of water vapor, clouds, and precipitation, but this is an even smaller fraction compared to other sources. Therefore, the largest reservoir of Earth's water is the oceans.