While "locals" are familiar with tides and their possible dangers, visitors may not. This gives a brief explanation of the mechanisms causing tides and how to avoid hazardous situations when exploring unfamiliar beaches in remote areas. This post is triggered by my seeing two tourists with a rented vehicle getting into a potentially dangerous situation on a remote beach on the north coast. They narrowly escaped with their vehicle only by means of two horses owned by locals who freed the vehicle trapped by quicksand and a rising tide.
Because the Earth spins on its' axis twice a day, each day there are two periods each of high and low water. Between these peaks and troughs, the ocean rises for about six hours from low to high water, then six hours to reach low water. During the rising tide, the rate is uneven.... the first one third takes two hours. The next one third takes only one hour and the final one third takes three hours. When the tide is going out, the reverse is true.
If one is considering beach exploration by foot or using a 4x4vehicle, it is important to remember that the mid-range rising tide is the fastest.
In this way, one can avoid being trapped by a rising tide between two promontories and unscalable cliffs.
The height of the tide depends on the phases of the Moon. At "New" and "Full" Moon, the Earth, Sun & Moon lie in almost a straight line so gravity is strong and the tides will have a big range.
Twice a year, on the 21st of March and on the 21st of September, the tides are at a maximum as the Earth, Moon and Sun are perfectly aligned.
Weather conditions such as strong winds can enhance/reduce the height of a rising tide.
Before exploring unfamiliar beaches, become aware of potential problems by talking to knowledgeable locals, so you know about the tides and even about arenas movedizas (quicksand). Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Canadian Bob.
Because the Earth spins on its' axis twice a day, each day there are two periods each of high and low water. Between these peaks and troughs, the ocean rises for about six hours from low to high water, then six hours to reach low water. During the rising tide, the rate is uneven.... the first one third takes two hours. The next one third takes only one hour and the final one third takes three hours. When the tide is going out, the reverse is true.
If one is considering beach exploration by foot or using a 4x4vehicle, it is important to remember that the mid-range rising tide is the fastest.
In this way, one can avoid being trapped by a rising tide between two promontories and unscalable cliffs.
The height of the tide depends on the phases of the Moon. At "New" and "Full" Moon, the Earth, Sun & Moon lie in almost a straight line so gravity is strong and the tides will have a big range.
Twice a year, on the 21st of March and on the 21st of September, the tides are at a maximum as the Earth, Moon and Sun are perfectly aligned.
Weather conditions such as strong winds can enhance/reduce the height of a rising tide.
Before exploring unfamiliar beaches, become aware of potential problems by talking to knowledgeable locals, so you know about the tides and even about arenas movedizas (quicksand). Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Canadian Bob.