Chapter 9
Tides
Essentials of Oceanography
7th Edition
What causes tides?
Tides are created by the imbalance
between two forces:
1. Gravitational force of the Moon and Sun on
Earth
If mass increases (), then gravitational force
increases ()
If distance increases (), then gravitational force
greatly decreases ()
2. Centripetal (center-seeking) force required to
keep bodies in nearly circular orbits
Gravitational forces on Earth
due to the Moon
Force decreases
with increasing
distance
Force is directed
toward the
Moon’s center of Figure 9-2
mass
Centripetal forces on Earth due
to the Moon
Force is the same
everywhere on
Earth
Force is directed
perpendicular to
Earth’s center
everywhere on Figure 9-3
Earth
Resultant forces
Resultant forces are:
The difference between
gravitational (G) and
centripetal (C) forces
Directed away from
Moon on the side of
Earth opposite Moon
Directed toward Moon
on the side of Earth Figure 9-4
facing Moon
Tide-generating forces
Tide-generating forces
are the horizontal
component of the
resultant force
Maximized along a
“latitude” of 45º relative
to the “equator” between
the zenith and nadir Figure 9-5
Tidal bulges
Tide-generating forces
produce 2 bulges:
1. Away from Moon on side
of Earth opposite Moon
2. Toward Moon on side of
Earth facing Moon
Earth rotates into and out
of tidal bulges, creating
high and low tides Figure 9-6
The lunar day
Tidal bulges follow Moon as it rotates around Earth
Lunar day is 50 minutes longer than a solar day
because the Moon is moving in its orbit around Earth
Figure 9-7
Relative sizes and distances on
Earth, Moon, and Sun
The Sun is much
more massive
than the Moon
but much further
away
Solar bulges are
46% the size of
lunar bulges Figure 9-8
The monthly tidal cycle
(29½ days)
About every 7 days, Earth alternates between:
Spring tide
Alignment of Earth-Moon-Sun system (syzygy)
Lunar and solar bulges constructively interfere
Large tidal range
Neap tide
Earth-Moon-Sun system at right angles (quadrature)
Lunar and solar bulges destructively interfere
Small tidal range
Earth-Moon-Sun positions and
the monthly tidal cycle
Figure 9-9
Effect of declination
The plane of the
Moon’s orbit is
tilted 5º with respect
to the ecliptic
The center of the
tidal bulges may be
up to a maximum of
28.5º from the
Figure 9-11
Equator
Effect of elliptical orbits
Tidal ranges are
greater when:
The Moon is at
perigee
The Earth is at
perihelion
Figure 9-12
Predicted idealized tides
Figure 9-13
Summary of tides on an
idealized Earth
Most locations have two high tides and two low tides
per lunar day
Neither the two high tides nor the two low tides are of
the same height because of the declination of the Moon
and the Sun
Yearly and monthly cycles of tidal range are related to
the changing distances of the Moon and Sun from
Earth
Each week, there would be alternating spring and neap
tides
Tides in the ocean
Cotidal map
shows tides
rotate around
amphidromic
points
More realistic
pattern of
tides in the
Figure 9-14
ocean
Tidal patterns
Diurnal
One high and one low tide each (lunar) day
Semidiurnal
Two high and two low tides of about the same
height daily
Mixed
Characteristics of both diurnal and semidiurnal
with successive high and/or low tides having
significantly different heights
Tidal patterns in the U.S.
Internet sit Figure 9-15
e showing
tidal predic
tions for v
arious U.S.
locations
Monthly tidal curves
Figure 9-16
The Bay of Fundy: Site of the
world’s largest tidal range
Tidal energy is
focused by shape
and shallowness
of bay
Maximum spring
tidal range in
Minas Basin = 17
meters (56 feet) Figure 9-17
Coastal tidal currents
Tidal currents occur
in some bays and
rivers due to a
change in tides
Ebb currents
produced by
outgoing tides
Flood currents
produced by
incoming tides Figure 9-18
Tidal bore = a true tidal wave
Wall of water that
moves upriver Figure 9B
Caused by an
incoming high tide
Occurs in some low-
lying rivers
Can be large enough
to surf or raft
Grunion and the tides
Grunion are the
only fish that
come completely
out of water to
spawn
Spawning cycles
are timed
Figure 9C
precisely with the
tides
Sites with high potential for tidal
power generation
Figure 9-19
End of Chapter 9
Essentials of Oceanography
7th Edition