Tidal Characteristics

Tides are simply the periodic rising and falling of ocean water; however, they have many characteristics. Specific alignments of the Earth, sun, and moon can bring spring tides and neap tides. There are times of flood currents, ebb currents, slack currents, and tidal pools. A tidal bore is actually a tidal wave, contrary to what many people believe. With all the variances possible for a tide, a tidal pattern in one part of the world may be very different than the tidal pattern in a different location.

Essential Questions

• What causes spring and neap tides?
• What is a tidal pool, and how can organisms survive in one?
• What causes a tidal bore?
• What are the tidal patterns of the world?