CHAPTER 5:

TIDES
GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING

PRESENTED BY DR MUHAMMAD ABDUL HAKIM MUHAMAD

C R E AT E D B Y D R M O H D S H A H M Y M O H D S A I D

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

 Kingsport, Nova Scotia. Part of the Bay of Fundy, home of the WORLDS HIGHEST TIDES.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQnpWyXMyL8
GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID
INTRODUCTION
Tides – a periodic changes of the height of the water surface.

Consider only the earth and moon attraction due to their masses.

The moon keeps in its orbit around the earth because of force of gravity continually
attracting it towards the earth.

The force at the centre of gravity of the earth, as F unit of force for each unit of mass.
Consider the earth is fully covered with water where no friction between the sea and
the earth.

F + f force at a point under the moon .

F – f force on opposite far side from the moon.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

INTRODUCTION
F at points on the meridian
right angle to the earth-moon
line.

F+f right under the moon.

F-f opposite far side (just sign

–ve, value f is the same).

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

INTRODUCTION

Tidal Bulge Due Tidal Bulge Due

To Gravity To Inertia

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

INTRODUCTION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIbvw2MsxGQ

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

EQUILIBRIUM THEORY

This theory assumes that the entire earth is covered

by a uniform layer of water, and that the waters yield,
and are heaped up beneath the moon.

This theory is based on the assumption that the

rotation of the earth relative to the moon is such that
the same side of the earth always; faces the moon.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

EQUILIBRIUM THEORY

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

EQUILIBRIUM THEORY

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

EQUILIBRIUM TIDES

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

EQUILIBRIUM TIDES

Motions of the Earth, Sun and Moon

The earth rotates about its polar axis, from west to east within 24 hours.

The Lunar Day

The moon is moving around the earth in the same direction as the earth
rotates, thus it takes approx. 50min longer for the same point on the earth
directly in line with the moon.

The lunar month, or the period between successive new moons is 29.5
mean solar days

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

EQUILIBRIUM TIDES

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

SPRING & NEAP TIDES

The heights of successive HW’s

and LW’s will vary relative to
positions of the sun and the
moon.

Spring tides = maximum range

Neap tides = minimum range

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

SPRING & NEAP TIDES

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

BASIC TIDAL CONSTITUENTS
The algebraic sum of the effects of all the tidal constituents make up the equilibrium tide.

The tidal constituents can ONLY be obtained from the analysis of the real tide observed at
a place.

Main tidal constituents:

S2 Sun’s longitude
M2 Moon’s longitude
K1 Effect of the sun and moon at average declination (11.7 deg)
O1 Effect of moon’s variation from average declination
P1 Effect from sun’s variation from average declination

There are total of 64 tidal constituents for one year observation

28 constituents for one month observation
GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID
THE REAL TIDES
In practice, there are many effects which distort the Real tide caused
tidal predictions that based on equilibrium tide. I. Lag behind the
equilibrium tide (phase
lag (g) deg/hr
Refer the tide as a wave “forced” by the tide-producing
forces, and the rise and fall on the coast as a result of II. Differ in magnitude
flow convergence or divergence. from that of the
equilibrium tide
These include: (amplitude = H)

of each constituents
1. Friction – seabed, coastline, internal drag b/w water
molecules
2. Natural resonance of the water body
3. Land masses and shallow water
4. Coriolis effect and derived wave types
5. Weather
GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID
TYPE OF TIDES
Tidal constituents are generally grouped by their period and fall into one of four categories:

Overtides:
these have periods shorter than 9 hours and are caused by nonlinear interactions of the other
tidal constituents and bathymetry. They are most common in estuaries and very shallow water.
approximately 4 or 6 cycles per day.

Semidiurnal:
These have periods close to 12 hours, for 2 cycles per day.

Diurnal: These have periods close to 24 hours.

Mixed: Dominant Diurnal or Dominant Semidiurnal

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TYPE OF TIDES

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM
Because water levels vary
over the course of hours
and days, sometimes by
many feet, water depths
must be referred to a
known level, or datum.

A number of different
datums are in use, many
of which are illustrated in
this figure.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM - Mean Sea Level (MSL)
 Reference of the geoid
 Average level of the sea over a long period (if possible 18.6 yrs)
 Mean of all tide readings
 As vertical reference level

 Observed MSL is subject to change due to:

I. Polar melting or glacial activity

II. Meteorological effects (rain, wind, pressure), long or short periods, and
frequency not local
III. Short period effects: sea, swell surges
IV. Tectonic (crustal changes)
V. Astronomical effects ( change in MSL due to combined effect of these
and seasonal meteorological variations )
GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID
TIDAL DATUM - Mean Sea Level (MSL)
 MSL can be determined by
observation; by the following
sequence:

1. Mean of all tide readings over a

long period (30 days to 18.61
yrs)
2. Mean of 39 hourly observations
method involves applying filters
3. Mean 25 hourly observation (a
poor value)

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM - Mean Tide Level (MSL)

 It is different from MSL

 MTL is the the mean of all HW’s and LW’s over a period of
time.

 Not possible to convert MTL – MSL and vice versa

 MTL and MSL will only coincide when the tidal curve is
perfect sine curve (rarely occurs)

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM - Mean High And Low Water Springs (MHWS and MLWS)

 Mean heights of two successive HW’s and LW’s

respectively, throughout a year when the range of tide is
greatest (once every 14.5 days) – Spring tide.

 These levels are vary with changes in Mean Sea Level and
from year to year in a cycle of 18.6 yrs.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM - Mean High and Low Water Neaps (MHWN and MLWN)

 Mean heights of two successive HW’s and LW’s respectively,

throughout a year when the range of tide is least.

 During Neap tide (once every 14.5 days)

 These levels are vary with changes in Mean Sea Level and
from year to year in a cycle of 18.6 yrs.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM - Mean Higher High Water and Mean Lower Low Water
(MHHW and MLLW)

 When the tide is mainly diurnal, MHHW and MLLW are used
instead of MHWS and MLWS

 MHHW is the mean of the higher of the two daily high waters
experienced over a period of time (when only one HW occurs
on a day, it is taken as the higher high water)

 MLLW is the mean of the lower of the two daily low waters
experienced over a period of time (when only one LW occurs
on a day, it is taken as the higher high water)

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM
Because water levels vary
over the course of hours
and days, sometimes by
many feet, water depths
must be referred to a
known level, or datum.

A number of different
datums are in use, many
of which are illustrated in
this figure.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM – Sounding Datum

 The Datum plane to which soundings are reduced for

bathymetric survey

 Datum that being established by a surveyor

 Ideally, it should be the same as Chart Datum (CD)

 May be differ due to old original survey.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM – Chart Datum

 The datum plane that being adopted by the national

authority for its published charts and tidal predictions.

 CD is defined as a level below which the tide will but seldom

fall.

 In tidal waters, CD is normally established at LAT.

 In non-tidal waters, CD is normally established at MSL.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

TIDAL DATUM – Lowest Astronomical Tide

 The lowest level which can be predicted to occur under

average meteorological conditions and under combination of
astronomical conditions.

 There is no simple formula or rule available to calculate it

from observation or tidal constituent.

 Can be obtained properly by analysing tidal prediction

covering several years (18.6 yrs), as the level of LAT will not
be reached every year.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

SOUNDING DATUM - Selection
 The datum should be low enough so that there is always at least as much water
as is shown on the chart.

 The datum should be agree with the established level of chart datum

 The datum should be harmony with the datums of neighbouring surveys.

 Beware of TIME DIFFERENCES. Although the range (and datum) may be the
same over the entire area, the TIMES of HW and LW nay differ from place to
place.

 The remedy is to erect extra tide poles in successive sub-area to measure time
differences.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

Method of Obtaining Sounding Datum
Three methods in the preferable sequence :

1) Recover previously established sounding or Chart Datum in the survey

area.

2) Transfer datum a place close to the survey area where CD (or SD) is
established, by taking simultaneous tidal observations over a period.

3) Establish a new datum observations. Measure tide level using tide gauge
unit.

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID

 Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains the Tides https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBwNadry-TU&t=441s

GLS614 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING CHAPTER 5 : TIDES MOHD SHAHMY MOHD SAID