How much water is there on Earth?

Answer: About 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water.

The Earth is abundant in water and it plays a crucial role in supporting life. Earth’s surface is covered by water with the vast majority residing in the oceans around 97.5%. The remaining 2.5% is freshwater which is found in glaciers, ice caps, underground aquifers, lakes, and rivers. However, only a small fraction of this freshwater, approximately 0.3% is easily accessible as surface water. The Earth has only 29% of the land.

The total volume of water on Earth is estimated to be about 1.332 billion cubic kilometers (km³). This includes water in various forms: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (water vapor in the atmosphere). The oceans hold the majority of Earth’s water containing about 97% of the total volume.

This immense water distribution influences climate, weather patterns, and the overall habitability of the planet. It also plays a vital role in shaping landscapes through erosion and deposition processes. The availability and sustainability of freshwater sources are critical considerations for ecosystems, agriculture, and human populations worldwide.