lesson 3 - currents and tides Flashcards
what are tides the result of?
the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun
what is a spring tide?
the moon and sun are aligned brings the highest high tide and lowest low tide - highest tidal range
what is a neap tide?
the moon and sun are 90 degrees to one another lowest high tide and highest low tide smallest tidal range
what is the tidal range?
the difference between the high and low tide
what influence does the tidal range have?
a wide zone of wave attack resulting in the formation of wave cut platforms
what are longshore currents?
occur as most waves don’t hit the coast head on but at an angle - they transport material along the coast
what are rip currents?
strong currents moving away from the coast develop when seawater is piled up along the coastline by incoming waves
what is upwelling?
the movement of cold water from the deep ocean towards the surface
