The gravitational pull of the moon on the earth causes the oceans to bulge towards it, raising and lowering the tides accordingly; and also causing them to shift. The combined forces of Earth's gravity pulling the water towards its core and the moon's gravity trying to pull it away resluts in tides. This happens periodically in all oceans. The word "tide" refers to all of the high and low water levels in the ocean. The sun also has an effect on the tides, but it is much lower because it is farther away than the moon is.
LOCATION:
The Earth and the moon are constantly attracted to each other, and the gravitational pull of the moon affects all of the Earth's oceans. (2)
(3)
WHY IT HAPPENS:
The moon effects the tides because it is constantly pulling at the earth, trying to pull anything it can closer to it. (2)
This has been happening, as far as we know, since the world formed into what it is today.
The moon is only able to effect the water on earth because of its ability to move freely. The constant pull of the moon causes the whole ocean to shift towards it. (1)
The establishment of the tides and currents that the moon causes effects the environment in a couple of different ways. If tidal changes happen quickly, then they can effect the lives of the plants and animals living in the ocean. For example, the currents and tides could move a fish's eggs, or carry nutrients needed to feed shrimp. (3)
HUMAN/ECONOMIC IMPACT:
This phenomenon effects the lives of people that live near the ocean. They have to build their homes far enough from the water so that during the highest tide it doesn't touch, resulting in floods. Also, if they dock their boats during high tide, they may not be able to sail again during low tide, which could hurt them economically if they are trying to transport goods. (4)
In Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundi, the difference between high tide and low tide is very drastic. So drastic, in fact, that the boats in channels sometimes have to untie their boats from the dock because the water goes so low that they drop to the ground. (1)
(1)
WARNINGS/ TECHNOLOGY:
People who live near the water have always been forced to study and record the tidal patterns near them. It is mostly a matter of general observation; however, with increasing technology, we have been able to grasp a better understanding of tides.
Lots of different things are used to measure the changes in the tide, like different bouies are put in the water with rulers so that we can see how much the tide changes. Also, sometimes bobbers with a height reader are used because if the water goes down it records the change.
Lots of different things are used to measure the changes in the tide, like different bouies are put in the water with rulers so that we can see how much the tide changes. Also, sometimes bobbers with a height reader are used because if the water goes down it records the change.
1) http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moontides/; Moon Tides; Keith Cooley; 2002
2) http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Astro_p009.shtml; The Moon and Tides; Science Buddies; 2011
3) http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/ocean-current4.htm; How Stuff Works: Tidal Currents; Jessika Toothman; 2011
4) http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5535690_do-ocean-tides-affect-humans.html; How Do Ocean Tides Effect Humans?; Tyler Lacoma; 2011
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