THE MOON AND TIDES

Along with the Sun, the Moon exerts serious force on Earth’s tides. Whether the tides vary widely or not much at all has a lot to do with the interactions between the solar and lunar cycles. When they are together, their combined effects produce tidal variations called spring tides – high tides are very high and low tides are very low. If the Sun and Moon are on the opposite sides of the sky, they nullify each others’ effects, producing neap tides – with little variation.

1

Spring tide

During new and full Moon, both the Sun and Moon exert a strong effect, producing spring tides.

2

Neap tide

In first and third quarter Moon, the Sun and Moon have little effect on tidal range, leading to neap tides.