What would it look like if all the water on Earth were gathered into a sphere? It might be smaller than you think.
The attachment is a simulation by the United States Geological Survey that converts all water on the earth, including various water bodies, glaciers and water vapor, as well as all water existing in soil and even living organisms, into a sphere with a diameter of 1,680 kilometers. The volume is equal to 1.362 billion cubic kilometers. The USGS explains that the sphere looks small because it is placed next to the Earth for comparison.
According to one estimate, 971 TP3T of water on Earth is found in oceans, and only 11 TP3T is freshwater, found in lakes, rivers or underground.
British researchers recently mapped all of Africa's groundwater volumes and potential extraction benefits, a study that could help improve African residents' access to clean drinking water. Estimates from scientists at the British Geological Survey and University College London suggest that Africa's groundwater content should exceed 647,000 cubic kilometers.
In addition to the research, experts also warn that growing water shortages could lead to political instability in Africa and elsewhere. Former Ghanaian President John Kufuor pointed out, “When there is a water shortage, people will migrate to any place. They will even go to war to obtain water resources. 』
Even the United States is not immune to the water shortage crisis. According to the U.S. EPA, by 2013, more than 36 states are expected to experience "local, regional, or statewide" water shortages during the non-drought season.
Source: Huff Post (PIDC compiled) Attachment file:All the water in the world.doc
