Earth's Tides

What Causes Tides?

Day at the beach

My family and I arrive at the beach at 9:00 am.
We notice that the water is really far out and
shallow. Where should I put my beach blanket,
towel, and umbrella?

What are tides?

Tides are very long-period waves that move
through the oceans in response to the forces
exerted by the moon and sun.

What are tides?

Tidal current consists of:

Flood current - tide coming in

Ebb current - tide going out

How many tides?

Two high and
two low tides
every 24
hours and 50
minutes

Gravity & Inertia

The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun affect
the Earth’s tides on a monthly basis.

What else affects the tides?

Geography

Weather

Bay of Fundy, Canada

This is a tunnel that is 12 feet 8 inches high for cars and trucks to pass

Reading Tide Charts

Click on NJ

Reading Tide Charts

You will choose
any 9 stations of

your choice...

But first, we
will complete
Atlantic City

together

Reading Tide Charts - Atlantic City, NJ

A box will pop up with

tide information

If you can’t see it, the graph at the bottom of

the page may be covering it

If you are having trouble
accessing information,

go directly to the
station’s website

Reading Tide Charts - Water Levels

Low Tide

High Tide

Tide Right Now:
Where the red

line stops

Reading Tide Charts - Water Levels

As the graph goes down,

the tide is going out
As the graph goes up,
the tide is coming in

Reading Tide Charts - Water Levels

The red line represents
the observed water level

The blue line

represents predictions

for the water level

Was the water level
higher or lower than

predicted?

Reading Tide Charts: Temperature

Current Temp

38.5 ºF

Record Data on Worksheet

Reading Tide Charts: Daily Charts

Graph Data and Answer Questions