Question

Suppose that all the rainfall that fell during an average year on a typical surface in central Pennsylvania just stayed there as a layer of water (and all the snow melted, and the melt just stayed there). If at the end of the year you were standing on that surface (assuming you are a typical-sized human being), what would be true? (Pennsylvania gets about the same amount of precipitation as the average for the world.)

You would need your SCUBA gear, or a really long snorkel, to keep from drowning because the water would be way over your head.

The water would be up around your waist or chest, but you'd still be able to breathe.

The water would be over your ankles, but no deeper.

The bottom of your toes would be wet, but not much else.

The water would just cover your toes, but no deeper.

Answer 1

The water would be up around your waist or chest, but you'd still be able to breathe.

Step-by-step explanation:

The average precipitation in the world is 100 cm (39 inches). If that is the amount that fell on a typical surface in central Pennsylvania and stayed there as a layer of water, it would be higher than toes or ankles reaching up to waist or chest depending on the person's height. A SCUBA gear or a snorkel would not be necessary since the average person is taller than 100 cm or 39 inches.