Research in Navigation II

Tides
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined
effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun,
and the rotation of the Earth.
Tide tables can be used to find the predicted times and amplitude (or
"tidal range") of tides at any given locale. The predictions are
influenced by many factors including the alignment of the Sun and
Moon, the phase and amplitude of the tide (pattern of tides in the
deep ocean), the amphidromic systems of the oceans, and the shape of
the coastline and near-shore bathymetry. They are however only
predictions, the actual time and height of the tide is affected by
wind and atmospheric pressure. Some shorelines experience a semi-
diurnal tide—two nearly equal high and low tides each day. Other
locations experience a diurnal tide—only one high and low tide each
day. A "mixed tide"—two uneven tides a day, or one high and one low—is
also possible.
Tides vary on timescales ranging from hours to years due to a number
of factors, which determine the lunitidal interval. To make accurate
records, tide gauges at fixed stations measure water level over time.
Gauges ignore variations caused by waves with periods shorter than
minutes. These data are compared to the reference (or datum) level
usually called mean sea level.
While tides are usually the largest source of short-term sea-level
fluctuations, sea levels are also subject to forces such as wind and
barometric pressure changes, resulting in storm surges, especially in
shallow seas and near coasts.
Tidal phenomena are not limited to the oceans, but can occur in other
systems whenever a gravitational field that varies in time and space
is present. For example, the shape of the solid part of the Earth is
affected slightly by Earth tide, though this is not as easily seen as
the water tidal movements.

High and Low Tides

High tides and low tides are caused by the moon. The moon's
gravitational pull generates something called the tidal force. The
tidal force causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side
closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon. These bulges
of water are high tides.

As the Earth rotates, your region of Earth passes through both of

these bulges each day. When you're in one of the bulges, you
experience a high tide. When you're not in one of the bulges, you
experience a low tide. This cycle of two high tides and two low tides
occurs most days on most of the coastlines of the world.

Neap tides

When there is a low tide, the Moon faces the Earth at a right angle to
the Sun so the gravitational force of the Moon and Sun work against
each other. These tides are referred to as neap tides; a low tide or
one that is lower than average. A neap tide happens between two spring
tides and occurs twice a month when the first and last quarter Moon
appears.

Spring tides

When there is a high tide, the Sun, Moon and Earth are in alignment
and the gravitational force is strong. These tides are known as spring
tides and occur twice a month. In this case the Moon can appear in
between the Earth and Sun resulting in a solar eclipse, or at the
furthest point away from the Sun resulting in a full Moon. When in
alignment, the Moon and Sun combine in gravitational forces to bring
the highest and lowest tides of the month.

Diurnal
In a few locations, tides occur only once a day, with a single high
tide and a single low tide. Such tidal cycles are known as diurnal
(daily) tides.

Semi Diurnal
Semi diurnal (twice-daily), meaning that there are two tidal cycles
(with one high tide and one low apiece) each day. In other words,
during a typical day the tides reach their highest point along the
shore and their lowest point twice each day. The high-water level
reached during one of the high tide stages is usually higher than the
other high point, and the low water level reached during one of the
low tide stages is usually lower than the other low tide point. This
difference is called the diurnal inequality of the tides.

Ebb

The Ebb is the outgoing phase, when the tide drains away from the
shore

Flooding

The incoming or rising tide, occurring between the time when the tide
is lowest and the time when the following tide is highest, During
exceptionally high tide events, such as at full and new moons.