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Where is most of Earth's freshwater found?

as ice at Earth's surface
as ice below Earth's surface
as liquid below Earth's surface
as liquid at Earth's surface

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Earth's freshwater is predominantly stored as ice in glaciers and ice caps, with a significant amount located in Greenland and Antarctica.

Step-by-step explanation:

Most of Earth's freshwater is found in the form of ice. Specifically, the majority of this freshwater is trapped within glaciers and ice caps, particularly in the vast expanses of Greenland and Antarctica. While the total amount of Earth's water is significant, with more than 70 percent of the planet's surface covered by water, less than three percent of it is fresh. Of this freshwater, a substantial portion is stored as ice, making it inaccessible for immediate human use.

Freshwater is essential for ecosystems and human survival; however, less than one percent of it is available in liquid form on the Earth's surface in lakes, rivers, and streams. Furthermore, a portion of freshwater is also present as groundwater, which can be accessed through wells. However, these sources represent a very tiny fraction compared to the vast reservoirs of ice-bound water.

User Mark Reed
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