Discover the celestial forces that make sea levels rise and fall twice daily in a cosmic dance between Earth and Moon
Dive Into the ScienceThe Moon doesn't actually pull water up - it creates bulges that appear as rising and falling sea levels
The Moon's gravity exerts a direct pull on Earth's oceans, creating a bulge on the side facing the Moon. This bulge appears as high tide.
As Earth and Moon rotate around their common center of mass, centrifugal force creates a second bulge on the opposite side, causing another high tide.
As Earth rotates, any given location passes through both bulges (high tides) and the troughs between them (low tides) approximately every 12 hours and 25 minutes.
Diagram showing the two tidal bulges created by the Moon's gravitational pull (right) and centrifugal force (left)
Adjust the Moon's position to see how it affects tidal patterns
The Moon's influence extends far beyond simple sea level changes
Tidal marshes and mangroves depend on regular flooding. The Moon's predictable cycles create habitats for countless species.
Tidal power plants harness the Moon's gravitational energy, providing predictable renewable electricity generation.
Mariners have relied on tidal knowledge for millennia. Even today, understanding tides is crucial for safe navigation and productive fishing.
When the Sun and Moon align (new or full moon), we experience spring tides with higher high tides and lower low tides.
When they're at right angles (quarter moons), we get neap tides with less extreme tidal ranges.
Our celestial companion doesn't just light up the night sky - its gravity orchestrates the daily rhythm of Earth's oceans, affecting ecosystems, human activities, and even the length of our days.