P A G E 2

HOW TIDES ARE FORMED?

rise

fall

Tide?
 P A G E 3

HOW TIDES ARE FORMED?

rise

fall

Tide?

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/currents/media/supp_cur02b.html
 P A G E 4

HOW TIDES ARE FORMED?

rise

fall

Tide?

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/currents/media/supp_cur02b.html
 5

What is
P A G E

TIDE?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Tides are periodical variations in the water surface
of oceans due to the attraction of celestial bodies.

The principal tide producing agents are the sun and

moon, of which moon is more powerful tide producer.

Tidal Current refers to the horizontal movement of water

accompanying tides and which is produced by the combined
action of astronomical, hydrological and meteorological factors.

Definition High water (Low water))– refers to the maximum height

(greatest depression) to which the water surface rises (falls)
of Terms above (below) the standard datum plane during a given
period.
 Flood Tide is the the period which the water surface
is rising and moving in toward the shore.

Ebb tide is the period of which the water surface is falling

and moving seaward.

Slack water refers to the instant at which the tidal current is

changing direction and flows neither in nor out.

Set refers to the direction of current flow

Definition
of Terms
Drift refers to the speed of current flow

Source: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/
 Tide Range is the difference between high and low
tide at a certain location on a given date.

Tidal Day - consists of an idealized average period of

24 hours and 50 minutes between the occurrence of two
successive high tides of the same type at the same
location.

Stand - Period at high or low water during a tidal cycle when

there is little or no change in the height of the tide. The water
level is almost stationary and the tidal currents fall away to zero
velocity before reversing.

Definition Tidal Waves - exceptionally large ocean wave caused by force

of winds, typhoons, ocean floor movement, submarine

of Terms earthquake. Tidal waves are not of astronomical origin and are
thus actually misnamed.
 P A G E 9

What causes
TIDE?
Higher Surveying by Juny Pilapil La Putt

The principal cause of the tides is the difference in gravitational

attraction exerted by the moon upon different parts of the earth.
The secondary cause is the similar difference in the attraction of
the sun. Gravitational attractions are also modified by certain
hydrological and meteorological factors. The periodic nature of the
tides is a purely astronomical phenomenon resulting from the daily
rotation of the earth about its axis, its annual revolution about the
sun, and the moon’s monthly revolution about the earth.
 P A G E 10

Spring and Neap

TIDES
Spring tides are especially strong tides. They occur when the
Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are in a line. The gravitational forces
of the Moon and the Sun both contribute to the tides. Spring tides
occur during full moon and new moon.

Neap tides are especially weak tides. They occur when the
gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are perpendicular to
one another (with respect to the Earth). Neap tides occur during
quarter moons.
 P A G E 11

Proxigean Spring
TIDE
Also known as perigian spring tide. It occurs when the moon is
either new or full and closest to the Earth. About three or four times
a year (in the spring and the fall), the new or full moon coincides
closely in time with the perigee of the moon- the point when the
moon is closest to the Earth.

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/currents/media/supp_cur02b.html

Perigean Spring Tides
and Coastal Flooding
Major coastal flooding doesn’t always occur whenever there is a
perigean spring tide, however pergiean spring tides may often
cause minor coastal flooding in some very low-lying areas. Major
coastal flooding typically occurs in response to strong onshore
winds and barometric pressure changes from a coastal storm.
P A G E 12
If a storm strikes during a perigean spring tide, flooding could be
significantly worse than it otherwise would have been. In some
instances, perigean spring tides have coincided with a shift in
offshore ocean circulation patterns and large scale shifts in wind
that have resulted in unexpected coastal flooding.
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/currents/media/supp_cur02b.html
 P A G E 13

Coastal Effects
The importance of tides to coastal geological processes is
threefold. First, the periodic change in water level results in different
parts of the foreshore being exposed to wave energy throughout
the day. Second, tidal currents themselves can erode and transport
sediment. Third, tides cause the draining and filling of tidal bays.

U.S. Army Engineer Institute for

Water Resources (IWR)
P A G E 14

Kaiser Science
 P A G E 15

Chief Application
The chief application of tide gaging in engineering operations are
usually in connection with hydrographic surveys, dredging
operations, or other subaqueous constructions. Short-term
gaging records are required during the period of operations to
permit reduction of measurements of water depths to a common
datum, to control dredging, and to facilitate the scheduling to a
common datum, to control dredging, and to facilitate the scheduling
of a construction work.

Higher Surveying by Juny Pilapil La Putt

End of Part 1

P A G E 16