Thursday, March 4, 2010

Tides Review


Tides are the rise and fall of the ocean caused by the gravity of the sun and moon.


Why do they happen? Forces of sun/moom pull on water and create bulges. Water pulled toward the moon is high tide, the opposite is a low tide.


Tidal Range: Difference between high/low tide. Usually 6 hours before high/low tides, 12 hours before high/high low/low.


Flood current: Tide rises, water moves in

Ebb Current: Tide recedes, water moves away


Spring Tides: When sun/moon/earth are aligned. Very high/low tides.

Neap Tides: Sun/moon/earth at right angles. Tides not as high/low


Semidiurnal: 2 equal high/low tides per day, most common type, east coast

Mixed Semi diurnal: high tides differ in height, 2 per day, west coast

Diurnal: 1 high, 1 low tide per day, rare. Gulf of Mexico

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