Random Marine Fact: the Moon and the Tides
Tides are caused by the gravitational attraction of both the sun and the moon on the oceans of earth. Because of the moon's close proximity, it has the greatest gravitational effect on the ocean. When the sun, moon, and earth are all in a line during the new or full moon, the tidal range will be greater than normal, called a spring tide. When the moon is at its closest point of orbit to earth, it is considered to be at perigee and will have the greatest influence on the tides, leading to perigean spring tides and 'king tides' that occur a few times in a year. Because the length of a lunar day is close to 24 hours, most areas will experience two high waters and two low waters in a day, which is referred to as being semidiurnal or mixed semidiurnal. Diurnal tide cycles are more uncommon and typically occur in enclosed basins. The Bay of Fundy on the eastern coast of canada is an area known for having an extreme tidal range of 16 meters (52 feet), almost 10 times the world average.
Fact for 2024/11/03. Old facts will be archived in the ship knowledge section.
