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12 Causes of Ocean Tides Rise and Fall – Effects

by Fitriani

Tides are the natural movement of ocean water that causes the ocean to rise and to fall into a certain level. The natural working of the world creates tides. It mostly include how the earth, the sun and the moon aligns. However, there are more several factors that contribute to the rising and the falling tide. This article will give you the 12 Causes of Ocean Tides Rise and Fall. First, we will talk about the causes for rising tide and then the causes for the fall in tides. After all that, there are effects about the rise and fall on ocean tides that you can read too.

Also read:

Causes for Tides to Rise

There are several factors that affect the rise of the tide in the ocean which you can read below:

1. The Moon

The moon has a strong gravitational force with the earth. It is able to affect the gravity on earth. So it has a certain control on how the ocean water behaves. When the moon gets closer to the Earth, the tide will become higher. The sea water rises above the usual level. You can read more in main causes of ocean tides.

2. Spring Tide

During the spring tide, the tide can rise to a level higher than usual. This is caused by the New Moon. As the moon aligns with the sun and the earth, the pull for the tide become stronger.

3. Onshore Wind

An onshore wind can push the water from the ocean to move into the direction of the coastline. This will cause the tide over the area to rise.

4. Low Atmospheric Pressure

The atmospheric pressure surrounding the ocean may affect the tides. When there is a low atmospheric pressure around the ocean, the tides can rise because the water is not affected by the pressure in the air.

5. Storm

An ocean storm may cause a significant rise in ocean tides. This is because the wind storm gets stronger as it moves inland. It also carries the water in the ocean along where it becomes higher around the coastline.

6. Large continents

Larger continents are known for having higher tides. The tides can rise to a high point within a certain period of time. The reason for this could be that the area is large enough to have water come into the coastline.

Causes for Tides to fall

The tides in the ocean can definitely rise but it can also fall. The following are some factors that cause tide waters to fall in the ocean:

7. Offshore Wind

An offshore wind from the land might blow the water from the coastline. As a result the water is pushed away from the coastline, causing the tide over the area to fall. So, the tide within the area falls too.

8. High Atmospheric Pressure

A high atmospheric pressure can cause the ocean tide to fall. The surrounding atmosphere in the ocean plays a huge role in affecting the water condition in the ocean. When the pressure is high, it affects the ability for the water to rise. (Read: Causes of Ocean Surface Circulation Currents)

9. Full Moon

A fall in the ocean tide can occur during a full moon. As the moon inches closer to the earth, it may affect the water in the oceans in different ways. While some areas are having high tides, other areas can only have a fall in their tides because the water are already collected at a high point somewhere else.

10. Neap Tide

During the Neap tide, every tide experiences an unusual rise and fall. The high tide becomes higher. As a result, this means that the low tide will fall further into a lower lever.

11. Distance of the Moon

The distance of the moon is another crucial factor in causing a fall in the tide. When the moon moves away further from the earth, the tide will become lower since the gravity pull from the moon becomes weak. (Also read: Characteristics of Ocean Liners)

12. Storm Surge

A storm surge can cause a tide to fall. Storm surge happens from an ocean storm. While there is an area that is experiencing a rush of water into their inland, some other place loses it all. The water becomes less, thus creating a fall in the tide.

Effects from the Ocean Tides Rise and Fall

Both ocean tides rise and fall are equally important. They bring many benefit to humans. Moreover, they can give a positive impact to the natural cycle in the ocean. Here are some effects that are caused by the rising and the falling of the ocean tides:

  • Renewable Energy Source: The rise of the tide and its fall can become a source for renewable energy. This highly benefits humans as the energy source is a greener option than what we already have now. The renewable energy source makes use of the ocean’s natural characteristic and also saves the Earth from global warming.
  • Bringing in Marine Creatures Closer: The rise in the ocean tide may bring in more marine creatures such as fish closer to the coastlines. Fishermen can use this opportunity to catch more fish than usual.
  • Healthy Ocean Water Circulation: The rise and fall of the ocean tide can also help in circulating the ocean water to make it healthier. It may even get rid of harmful pollutants and help the ocean to heal.
  • Fun at the Beach: Ocean tides affect people’s activities while they are spending their time in the ocean. Both high and low tide can give the perfect level of water during the day when people spend most of their time in the beach.

Read more:

Those are the main  factors that cause the ocean tide to experience a significant rise and fall during a certain period. Knowing their effects on humans as well as the ocean environment makes it easier to appreciate the natural working of the ocean in this world.

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