Oceanic tides are periodic sea-level oscillations driven primarily by the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun and the Earth’s rotation, expressed as propagating long waves in the ocean basins. They are described as equilibrium and dynamic tides, with the latter governed by the Laplace tidal equations that incorporate Coriolis effects, bathymetry, and basin geometry. Tides are decomposed into harmonic constituents (e.g., M2, S2, K1), each with distinct frequencies and phases, enabling precise tidal prediction. They play critical roles in coastal dynamics, mixing, and energy dissipation, and are significant for processes such as sediment transport and ocean circulation.
Antarctic ice is melting. But exactly which forces are causing it to melt and how melting will influence sea level rise are areas of active research. Understanding the decay of ice shelves, which extend off the edges of the ...
Earth Sciences
Sep 8, 2025
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Poohsticks, the game in which Piglet and Winnie the Pooh throw sticks into the river from one side of a bridge, and then rush over to the other side to see whose stick appears first, is all about current flow. Disappointingly, ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 19, 2025
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In the village of Nagigi, Fiji, the ocean isn't just a resource—it's part of the community's identity. But in recent years, villagers have seen the sea behave differently. Tides are pushing inland. Once abundant, fish are ...
Environment
Jul 24, 2025
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Flooding in coastal communities is happening far more often than previously thought, according to a new study from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The study also found ...
Earth Sciences
Jun 2, 2025
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Communities on small islands are on the front lines of worsening flood risks—not just from severe storms but from persistent tidal flooding events. Scientists estimate that within 15 years, high-tide flood events could triple ...
Earth Sciences
May 5, 2025
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Tropical cyclones are hurricanes that brew over the tropical ocean and can travel over land, inundating coastal regions. The most extreme cyclones can generate devastating storm tides—seawater that is heightened by the tides ...
Earth Sciences
Apr 11, 2025
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A study using data from ESA's Swarm mission suggests that faint magnetic signatures created by Earth's tides can help us determine magma distribution under the seabed and could even give us insights into long-term trends ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 22, 2025
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The Earth and moon have been locked in a gravitational dance for billions of years. Each day, as the Earth turns, the moon tugs upon the oceans of the world, causing the rise and fall of tides. As a result, the Earth's day ...
Planetary Sciences
Dec 12, 2024
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