Which cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth?

The hydrologic cycle is the correct choice as it specifically refers to the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. This cycle encompasses various processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff, illustrating how water circulates within the environment. Water evaporates from bodies of water, condenses into clouds, falls back to the Earth as precipitation, and then either flows into rivers and oceans or infiltrates into the groundwater, thereby sustaining ecosystems and human activities.

In contrast, the nitrogen cycle focuses on the transformation and movement of nitrogen through the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms, while the carbon cycle centers on the movement of carbon atoms through different environmental compartments. The phosphorus cycle describes the movement of phosphorus in various forms throughout the environment but does not involve water in the same vital and dynamic way as the hydrologic cycle. Therefore, the hydrologic cycle is foundational to understanding water resources and environmental health.