Tides

The Moon's gravitational pull on Earth's oceans is the main driver of tides.

The Sun's gravitational pull also contributes to tides, but to a lesser extent compared to the Moon.

High tides occur approximately every 12 hours and 25 minutes.

Low tides occur approximately every 12 hours and 25 minutes.

The difference in sea level between high tide and low tide varies depending on location, but typically ranges from a few centimeters to several meters.

Spring tides occur when the Moon, Sun, and Earth are aligned, resulting in the highest high tides and lowest low tides.

Neap tides occur when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other, resulting in the lowest high tides and highest low tides.

Perigean tides occur when the Moon is closest to Earth, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

Apogean tides occur when the Moon is farthest from Earth, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.

The Earth's rotation causes the different parts of the Earth to move through the tidal bulge, resulting in two high tides and two low tides each day.

The Earth's equatorial bulge causes the tidal bulge to be higher at the equator than at the poles.

The shape of the coastline can amplify or dampen the effects of tides, resulting in higher tides in bays and inlets and lower tides on open coasts.

The shape of the underwater topography can amplify or dampen the effects of tides, resulting in higher tides in shallow water and lower tides in deep water.

Wind can push water towards or away from the coast, resulting in higher or lower tides.

Changes in atmospheric pressure can cause the sea level to rise or fall, resulting in higher or lower tides.