oceans E

key dynamic of coastal zones

TIDES

tidal fluctuations result in

diurnal and bimonthly patterns

- 2 high tides per day

- tidal force = lunar attraction

moon declination

- varies by 28 degrees every 27.2 days

- results in: away from equator, tides not always the same size

moons orbit is not symmetrical

true

solar tides

a tide on Earth that is due to the differential gravitational pull of the Sun

spring tides and neap tides

occur twice a month

max tides occur

- earth closest to sun (perihelion)

- moon closest to earth (perigee)

- sun and moon at zero declination

- sun and moon in conjunction

how do tides vary

- latitude

-geography

internal waves

water circulation meets obstacle, breakdown of stratification

geologic waves

earthquakes form tsunamis

surface waves

- wind driven

- friction between air and water

- waves vary based on energy transfer

- MASS= small orbital path

waves at shoreline

- friction alters shape of wave

- wave gets taller and unstable, forms breaking waves

storm waves

large waves generated by strong winds

- increasing frequency due to climate change

- organisms evolved to adapt to strong storms

reflective shores

- california beaches

- steep rise '

- energy is reflected back to water

dissipative shores

- florida beaches

- gradual rise

- energy is dissipated