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TIDES
Tides refer to the periodic rise and fall of sea levels caused primarily by the
gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and Sun, combined with the
centrifugal force resulting from the Earth-Moon system's rotation.
Tides are cyclic in nature, repeating approximately every 24 hours and 50
minutes, due to the Earth's rotation and the Moon’s orbit around the Earth.
Importance: Tides influence coastal ecosystems, maritime navigation, port
management, fishing industries, sediment transport, and coastal erosion.
WHAT ARE CAUSES OF TIDES?
GRAVITATIONAL FORCES
MOON’S GRAVITATIONAL FORCE:
• The primary force driving tides is the gravitational pull of the Moon on
the Earth's oceans. The Moon’s gravity attracts the water towards it,
creating a bulge on the side of the Earth facing the Moon. This bulge
corresponds to a high tide.
• The water on the opposite side of the Earth experiences a second high
tide due to the centrifugal force caused by the Earth-Moon rotation
around their barycenter (the common center of mass).
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SUN’S GRAVITATIONAL FORCE:
• The Sun also exerts a gravitational pull on the Earth's oceans. However,
its effect is less than that of the Moon due to the Sun's much greater
distance from Earth.
• The Sun’s gravity affects tides by either amplifying or dampening the
Moon’s gravitational effect, depending on their relative positions.
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE
• The centrifugal force resulting from the Earth and Moon's rotation
around the barycenter creates a second high tide on the side of Earth
opposite the Moon.
• The centrifugal force is balanced by the gravitational force of the Moon
and the Sun.
EARTH’S ROTATION
• Earth’s rotation results in the cyclic nature of tides. Each point on Earth
experiences two high tides and two low tides approximately every 24
hours 50 minutes due to the continuous movement and rotation of the
Earth beneath the tidal bulge.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF TIDES?
Tides are classified based on their frequency, amplitude, and the alignment of
the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
TYPES BASED ON FREQUENCY
DIURNAL TIDES:
• Occur when there is one high tide and one low tide each day.
• These tides are characteristic of regions with only one tidal cycle in 24
hours.
• Example: Gulf of Mexico, Adriatic Sea.
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SEMIDIURNAL TIDES:
• Occur when there are two high tides and two low tides each day.
• These tides are the most common, occurring in most coastal areas
around the world.
• Example: East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Ocean.
MIXED TIDES:
• A combination of both diurnal and semidiurnal tides, where some days
have two high and two low tides, while others may have only one of
each.
• Mixed tides can vary significantly in height, causing irregular tidal cycles.
• Example: West Coast of the United States, Pacific Ocean.
TYPES BASED ON AMPLITUDE (HEIGHT)
SPRING TIDES:
• Occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in alignment, such as during
the new moon or full moon.
• The gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun combine to create high
amplitude tides with greater tidal ranges.
• High tides are higher than usual, and low tides are lower than normal.
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• Example: New Moon and Full Moon phases.
NEAP TIDES:
• Occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun form a right angle, during the first
quarter moon or third quarter moon.
• The gravitational pull of the Sun partially cancels out the pull of the
Moon, leading to lower amplitude tides with a reduced tidal range.
• High tides are not as high, and low tides are not as low as usual.
• Example: First Quarter Moon and Third Quarter Moon.
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WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TIDES?
TIDAL RANGE
• Tidal Range is the vertical difference between the highest and lowest
tides in a given tidal cycle.
• The maximum tidal range occurs during spring tides, while neap tides
have the smallest tidal range.
• Tidal ranges vary significantly in different parts of the world, depending
on the location and the configuration of the coastline.
• Example: The Bay of Fundy in Canada has the largest tidal range, with
tides exceeding 15 meters.
TIDAL PERIOD
• The tidal period is the time interval between the passage of two
successive high tides (or two successive low tides).
• For semidiurnal tides, the tidal period is about 12 hours and 25 minutes.
• For diurnal tides, the tidal period is about 24 hours and 50 minutes.
TIDAL CURRENTS
• Tidal currents are the horizontal movements of water resulting from the
rise and fall of tides.
• Flood tide refers to the rising tide that moves water inland, while ebb
tide refers to the falling tide that moves water outward.
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• Tidal currents can significantly affect shipping, fishing, and sediment
transport along coastlines.
TIDAL PHENOMENA
TIDAL BORES
• A tidal bore is a phenomenon where a strong tidal wave enters a narrow
estuary or river, moving upstream against the flow of the river.
• It occurs when the incoming tide is forced into the narrow confines of a
river, creating a wave that moves upstream.
• Famous tidal bores include the Qiantang River (China) and the Severn
River (UK).
TIDAL FLATS AND MUDFLATS
• Tidal flats or mudflats are areas of the shore that are exposed at low
tide and submerged at high tide.
• These flats are important habitats for many species of birds, fish, and
marine organisms.
• They are often characterized by muddy or sandy deposits and are vital
to coastal ecosystems.
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TIDAL ENERGY
• Tidal energy refers to the energy that can be harnessed from the rise
and fall of the tides.
• Tidal turbines, barrages, and other technologies are used to convert
tidal energy into electricity.
• Tidal energy is considered a form of renewable energy, with significant
potential for development in coastal regions with large tidal ranges.
WHAT IS TIDE-GENERATING FORCES?
MOON’S GRAVITATIONAL PULL
• The gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth’s oceans is the primary
cause of the formation of tidal bulges on the side of the Earth facing the
Moon.
• The Moon’s gravitational force creates a high tide on the side of Earth
closest to it, as the ocean water is pulled toward the Moon.
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• The opposite side of Earth also experiences a high tide due to the
centrifugal force caused by the Earth-Moon system’s rotation.
SUN’S GRAVITATIONAL PULL
• The Sun also exerts a gravitational force on Earth’s oceans, but its effect
is weaker than the Moon’s because it is farther away from Earth.
• When the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in alignment (during spring tides),
the Sun’s gravity amplifies the tidal effect of the Moon.
• When the Sun and Moon form a right angle (during neap tides), their
gravitational effects partially cancel each other out.
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE
• The centrifugal force arises because of the Earth and Moon’s mutual
rotation around a common center of mass.
• This force causes the water on the opposite side of the Earth (opposite
to the Moon) to bulge, creating a second high tide.
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WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF TIDES ON COASTAL REGIONS?
COASTAL EROSION
• Tides, especially high tides, contribute to the erosion of coastal regions.
The continuous rise and fall of water cause the shore to wear away
gradually.
• Wave action and tidal movements can erode cliffs, beaches, and even
disrupt coastal infrastructure.
SEDIMENT TRANSPORT
• Tides play a major role in the movement of sediment along the
coastline.
• Tidal currents transport sand, mud, and other materials, leading to the
formation of sandbars, estuaries, and deltas.
COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS
• Intertidal zones, which are exposed at low tide and submerged at high
tide, are biodiverse habitats that support a wide range of species.
• These ecosystems, such as salt marshes, mangrove forests, and coral
reefs, are influenced by tidal movements.
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TIDES AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES
NAVIGATION AND SHIPPING
• Tides affect maritime navigation by altering the depth of water in
harbors and around coastlines. Low tides may expose underwater
obstacles such as rocks or sandbars, while high tides provide increased
clearance for ships.
• Tidal charts are crucial for safe navigation, particularly in regions with
large tidal ranges.
FISHING
• Fishermen often rely on tidal patterns to optimize their catch. Certain
fish species are more abundant during specific tidal phases (e.g., during
the flood tide).
• Tidal currents can also affect the distribution of nutrients, influencing
the location of fish schools and other marine organisms.
COASTAL DEVELOPMENT
• Coastal infrastructure such as ports, dams, beaches, and sea walls must
consider tidal fluctuations to ensure structural integrity and
sustainability.
• Tidal power plants can harness tidal movements for energy generation.
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GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION OF TIDES
• Tidal behavior varies significantly depending on the location and the
shape of the coastline.
• Some regions experience high tidal ranges, such as the Bay of Fundy in
Canada, while others experience small tidal ranges, such as the
Mediterranean Sea.
• The size and shape of estuaries, bays, and gulfs significantly influence
tidal range and currents.
TIDES AND CLIMATE CHANGE
• Climate change is expected to impact tidal patterns in coastal areas due
to rising sea levels and changes in the Moon’s orbit.
• Rising sea levels will cause higher high tides, increasing the risk of coastal
flooding.
• Storm surges combined with high tides could lead to more frequent and
severe flooding events.
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https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/physical-world/2020/tides-
they-are-changin-and-its-not-just-climate-change
CONCLUSION
Tides are a complex natural phenomenon that results from the interplay of the
Earth, Moon, and Sun’s gravitational forces. Understanding the causes, types,
characteristics, and impacts of tides is essential for studying coastal geography,
marine environments, and human activities related to oceans.
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