changing with the tides

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Tidal energy is a renewable resource that many engineers and consumers hope will be developed on a large scale. Now, small programs in Northern Ireland, South Korea, and the U.S. state of Maine are experimenting with harnessing the power of tides. But only recently have scientists collected modern, precise tide-gauge data from around the world, showing just how widespread tidal changes have become. “It wasn’t really until about 10 years ago that we started to appreciate that it’s occurring on a much wider level,” says Haigh. This article originally appeared in Knowable Magazine, and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. But those changes also changed the rhythm with which tides ebbed and flowed into the river from the sea. Those shifting tides stirred up sediment from the river bottom and muddied its waters. Over the last 120 years the tidal range – the distance between high and low tide – has quintupled in the Ems estuary.

Tides? | NOAA SciJinks – All About Weather What Causes Tides? | NOAA SciJinks – All About Weather

Tides are greatly influenced by the gravitational pull from the moon and sun. The moon's elliptic orbit means that twice a month, the moon, sun and Earth are in direct alignment and create a combined gravitational force. The researchers calculated that dredging of the ship channel has effectively worsened the potential damage posed by a Category 5 hurricane and raised the highest possible water levels in Wilmington by 1.8 meters (5.9 feet). And in 2018, when Category 1 Hurricane Florence slammed into Wilmington, water levels did indeed reach a record 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) above high tide. Tides produce some interesting features in the ocean. Tides are also associated with features that have nothing to do with them.

Wait, what?

Twice each month, the moon lines up with the Earth and sun. These are called the new moon and the full moon. When the moon is between the Earth and the sun, it is in the sun’s shadow and appears dark. This is the new moon. When the Earth is between the sun and moon, the moon reflects sunlight. This is the full moon.

How humans are altering the tides of the oceans - BBC Future How humans are altering the tides of the oceans - BBC Future

Rising and ebbing tides happen as Earth’s landmasses rotate through the tidal bulges created by the Moon’s gravitational pull. Our observer sees the tides rise when passing through the bulges, and fall when passing through the low points. Of course, in reality the Earth isn’t a smooth ball, so tides are also affected by the presence of continents, the shape of the Earth, the depth of the ocean in different locations, and more. The timing and heights of the tide near you will be affected by those additional elements.But those changes also changed the rhythm in which tides ebbed and flowed into the river from the sea. Those shifting tides stirred up sediment from the river bottom and muddied its waters. Over the last 120 years the tidal range — the distance between high and low tide — has quintupled in the Ems estuary.