Our Boats Are Changing the Tide

The video explores the complex factors influencing tides, including the moon, sun, and sea floor. It highlights the significant impact of shipping channels on tides, using Wilmington, NC as a case study. The enlargement of river channels reduces hydraulic drag, increasing flooding risks. The video also discusses future implications, including climate change and potential mitigation strategies.

What factors contribute to the complexity of tides on any given shore?

• The size of container ships

• The positions of the sun and moon, sea floor shape, and coastline

• The temperature of the ocean

• Only the moon's gravitational pull

How have changes in Wilmington's river channel affected local flooding?

• They have reduced the frequency of floods

• They have had no impact on flooding

• They have increased the frequency of nuisance floods

• They have only affected the tides, not flooding

What is hydraulic drag and how does it relate to tides?

• It is the friction between water molecules

• It is the force that pulls water towards the shore

• It is the resistance water faces from the riverbed and sides, affecting tide movement

• It is the energy required to move ships through water

What is resonance in the context of tides and channels?

• The resistance of water to flow

• The alignment of wave wavelength with channel size, amplifying tides

• The temperature change in water due to tides

• The echo of sound waves in a channel

What future challenges are posed by climate change in relation to tides and flooding?

• Reduced frequency of high tides

• Increased sea levels and more frequent flooding

• Decreased sea levels

• No significant impact on tides