Tides occur in a regular pattern that is influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans. The pattern of tides is typically a semi-diurnal cycle, which means that there are two high tides and two low tides each day, with a period of approximately 12 hours and 25 minutes between each high tide. However, the exact pattern of tides can be influenced by several factors, including the location of the ocean, the shape of the coastline, and the depth of the ocean floor.
Knowledge of the tidal pattern is important to society for several reasons. First, tides are important for navigation, as they can affect the depth of water in harbors, rivers, and estuaries. For example, ships may need to wait for high tide to enter a port or travel up a river, or they may need to avoid shallow areas during low tide.
Tidal patterns are also important for coastal communities, as they can influence the extent of flooding and erosion that occurs during storms and hurricanes. Understanding the tidal cycle can help communities prepare for and mitigate the impacts of these natural events.
In addition, tides are important for marine life, as they can affect the availability of food and the movement of marine organisms. Some species of fish and other marine animals rely on the movement of tides to travel to feeding and spawning areas.
Overall, understanding the pattern of tides is important for a variety of reasons, from navigation and coastal management to ecology and the preservation of marine habitats.