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Spring and Neap Tides
Figure 21.10 Spring and neap tides.
Located on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy is known for its high tidal range, as much as 48 feet (14 meters). Over a 100 billions tons of water passes in and out of the bay every 12 1/2 hours each day. Watch this amazing process occur below.
Figure 21.11 Bay of Fundy Tides - Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia timelapse |
The
Sun and Moon are said to be in conjunction with they are aligned
with the Earth. The highest tides, and greatest gravitational
attraction, occur when the Sun and Moon are on the same side of the
Earth creating a spring tide. This occurs during the new moon
phase. A second lower spring tide occurs when the Sun and Moon are on
opposite sides of the Earth during the full Moon phase. A neap tide
results when the Sun and moon are at right angles to the Earth.
There are two neap tides, at the first-quarter and second quarter phases
of the Moon.