16.2: Waves and Tides

Waves and Tides Wave Characteristics • Most ocean waves obtain their energy and motion from the wind. • The wave height is the vertical distance between the trough and crest. • The wavelength is the horizontal distance between two successive crests or two successive troughs. The crest is the top of the wave. The trough is the lowest point of a wave.

Anatomy of a Wave Makes no sense without caption in book

Waves and Tides Tides are daily changes in the elevation of the ocean surface. Ocean tides result from the gravitational attraction exerted upon Earth by the moon and, to a lesser extent, by the sun.

Tide Bulges on Earth Caused by the Moon Makes no sense without caption in book

Waves and Tides Tide Cycle • Tidal range is the difference in height between successive high and low tides. • Spring tides are tides that have the greatest tidal range, moon and sun are aligned. • Neap tides are tides that have the lowest tidal range, moon at right angles to the sun

Earth–Moon–Sun Positions and the Tides

Waves and Tides Tidal Patterns • Three main tidal patterns exist worldwide: diurnal tides, semidiurnal tides, and mixed tides. Diurnal Tide – One high tide and one low tide daily – East coast of Florida Semi-diurnal tide – Two high tides and two low tides daily – North Carolina Coast Atlantic Ocean Mixed tides – a mix between the tides… in areas between where diurnal and semi-diurnal tides occur – Gulf Coast of Florida from the Keys to Apalachicola

High tides Low tides