EARTH 540
Essentials of Oceanography

Lesson 6 Introduction

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Tides

About Lesson 6

Photograph of Le Mont-Saint-Michel
Le Mont-Saint-Michel, an island commune in Normandy, France.

In this lesson, we will focus on the origin of ocean tides. We'll look at things in terms of an equilibrium (simple) model and in terms of a dynamic model of tides that takes into account factors such as ocean basin geometry and coastlines.

By the end of this lesson you should be able to explain the role of gravity, inertia, and rotating reference frames in determining tides. You should be able to describe why, in the equilibrium theory of tides, there are two tidal bulges on Earth; one that is roughly under the moon and one that is roughly antipodal to that.

The concept of Amphidromic points is important in understanding tidal circulation in the oceans. You should be able to describe how amphidromic circulation works, including co-tidal lines, co-range lines, and the role of the Coriolis effect.

What will we learn in Lesson 6?

By the end of Lesson 6, you should be able to:

  • Describe how the Earth-moon system rotates during a lunar month, and why the focal point is within but not at the center of Earth.
  • Explain the role of gravity, inertia, and rotating reference frames in determining tides.
  • Describe why semi-diurnal tides involve two high tides and two low tides at a given location during roughly a 24 hr. and 50 min period.
  • Describe why the concept of Amphidromic points is important in understanding tidal circulation in the oceans.
  • Describe how amphidromic circulation works, including co-tidal lines, co-range lines, and the role of the Coriolis effect..
  • Use on-line resources to construct maps of ocean temperature and salinity

What is due for Lesson 6?

The chart below provides an overview of the requirements for Lesson 6. For assignment details, refer to the lesson page noted. See the Course Schedule (located in the Resources menu) for assignment due dates.

Lesson 6 Assignments
REQUIREMENT LOCATION SUBMITTED FOR GRADING?
Read the information on the next page and then complete the Tides Activity on Canvas
Prepare for the End-of-unit Quiz, on Canvas
Canvas Yes. Complete Tides Activity on Canvas under Lesson 6

Questions?

If you have any questions, please post them to our Questions? discussion forum (not e-mail), located under the Communicate tab in Canvas. I will check that discussion forum daily to respond. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help out a classmate.