What is the primary function of the hydrologic cycle?

The primary function of the hydrologic cycle is to facilitate the cycling of water through various components of the Earth’s system, which includes the atmosphere, land, rivers, lakes, and oceans. This continuous movement of water is essential for maintaining ecosystems, regulating climate, and supporting various biological processes.

The hydrologic cycle describes the phases of water as it evaporates from bodies of water, transforms into vapor, condenses into clouds, and eventually precipitates back to the surface as rain, snow, or other forms of moisture. This cycle is critical for replenishing water supplies in soil and freshwater systems, nourishing plants, and sustaining wildlife.

In contrast, the other choices serve different purposes. The supply of nutrients to ocean life is an important process, but it is not the primary function of the hydrologic cycle itself. Similarly, while the formation of sedimentary rocks and the displacement of tectonic plates are significant geological processes, they are not directly related to the cycling of water in the environment. Thus, this underscores why the answer focusing on the cycling of water is the most accurate choice, as it encapsulates the essence of the hydrologic cycle's role in the Earth's systems.