The tides

Tides are natural phenomena that occur in the oceans and seas of our planet.

They are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and, to a lesser extent, the Sun on the masses of water on Earth.

The gravitational interaction between the Earth, the Moon and the Sun creates a gravitational pull that causes the movement of water in the oceans.

This movement generates tides, which are characterised by the regular rise and fall of the water level along the coasts.

There are two main types of tides: high tides and low tides.

During high tides, water rises higher than normal, flooding coastal areas and creating a higher water level.

During low tides, water recedes, exposing areas that would normally be submerged.

Tides vary in periodicity and amplitude. Periodicity is due to the rotation of the Earth and the orbit of the moon, which generates a cycle of approximately 12 hours and 25 minutes between two successive high tides.

The amplitude, on the other hand, is influenced by several factors, such as the topography of the seabed and the geographical features of the coast.

In addition to the Moon, the Sun also plays a role in the tides. During times when the Earth, Moon and Sun are aligned, such as new moons and full moons, the tides become more pronounced.

This is known as neap tides. On the other hand, when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other, the tides are less extreme and are known as neap tides.

Tides not only have an impact on coastal and maritime activities, but also play a crucial role in marine ecosystems.