The Moon pulls on the water, making it bulge out twice a day. When Earth turns, we feel this pull as high tides and low tides.
The Pull of the Moon
Imagine you're holding a bucket of water. If someone gently pulls the bucket from one side, the water moves toward that side, creating a bulge. That's what the Moon does to the oceans, it pulls them slightly, making the water rise in some places and fall in others.
Why We Get Two Tides
As Earth rotates once every day, we pass through two of these bulges, one on the side facing the Moon, and another on the opposite side. This is why we get two high tides and two low tides each day.
Examples
- When you're on the beach at sunrise, the water might be higher, that's a high tide caused by the Moon.
- If your favorite lighthouse is underwater most of the day, it must be near a low tide.
- The Moon’s pull causes the ocean to stretch like taffy, creating waves and bulges.
Ask a question
See also
- How Does Gravity Affect the Tides of the Ocean?
- How Does the Moon Affect Earth’s Tides?
- What Causes the ‘Tides’ and How Are They Predicted?
- What Causes the Tides on Earth?
- What Causes the ‘Tides’ and Why Are They So Predictable?
Discussion
Recent activity
Nothing here yet.