The scene of the ocean tides hitting the coastline under the moonlight is always a beautiful view to witness. Tides are one of those aspects of nature that often leave the viewer in awe of nature’s beauty, but ever wonder what causes them?
Ocean tides are generally caused by the gravitational forces of the moon. These tides are referred to as lunar tides. The moon’s pull on the earth attracts water towards it, resulting in the formation of tides. The sun’s gravitational; forces can also play a role in causing tides, but these are generally smaller than lunar tides. Large-scale tides are produced when there is a full moon, and the sun, moon, and earth are in line with one another.
Another factor that influences tides is the weather and wind conditions. Heavy winds can generally make tides stronger.
To learn more about tides and how they are formed, read ahead.
What Are Oceanic Tides?
A little bit of context is important before attempting to understand how tides are formed. Let us first understand what tides are.
Tides are very long periods of waves that move across the ocean. They often travel to the coastline from great distances. They are bigger and stronger than regular ocean waves.
How Are Tides Formed?
Tides are predominantly the result of the moon’s gravitational force on the earth. When the earth is facing the moon, the moon exerts a pull on the surface of the earth. This pull impacts the ocean and results in the formation of tides.
The force that the moon exerts on the earth is called the tidal force; this force causes the earth and the ocean to bulge in the moon’s direction.
To learn more about this, watch:
What Other Factors Play A Role In Tide Formation?
The moon is the main cause behind tides; tides caused by the moon are known as lunar tides, but there are other types of tides, too, which are influenced by several factors.
The Rotation Of The Earth
Tides that are formed because of the earth directly facing the moon are called high tides. But the moon has a pull that is strong enough to cause low tides on the surface that is opposite to it. These tides are smaller and also move in the moon’s direction. They may appear different than high tides.
The Sun’s Gravitational Force Plays A Role In Tidal Formation
The sun also has the ability to exert a gravitational pull on the earth, resulting in the formation of solar tides. These tides are not as strong as lunar tides.
The Full Moon Forms Strong Tides
When the sun, moon, and earth line up during a full moon or a new moon, the sun and the moon’s forces reinforce one another, forming strong tides.
The Wind Has An Impact On Tides
Wind and weather conditions are crucial in determining tidal strength. Strong winds generate stronger tides by generating stronger waves.
In Conclusion
Oceanic tides are primarily caused by the gravitational forces of the sun and the moon. The wind reinforces these tides and makes them stronger. But all these tides look different and are of varying strengths.
