Neap tides are low high tides or low tidal intervals between low and high tides, occurring during the first and third quarters of the moon. Spring tides are strong tides that are either extremely high or very low, occurring when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in syzygy. The topography of the Earth affects the tides, and tide charts indicate the area to which they apply.
A neap tide is a relatively low high tide or a generally low tidal interval between low and high tides. During the first and third quarters of the moon, mid-tidal periods occur, due to the way the sun and moon act on the Earth to create the tides. The opposite of a neap tide is a spring tide, a strong tide that is either extremely high or very low, creating a wide range of tides. Because the tidal cycle is well known, scientists can predict when spring and neap tides will occur and how high they will be.
Tides are caused by an interaction of factors. The rotational motion of the Earth plays a role, as does the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. On a neap tide, the sun and moon are at right angles to each other, pulling in opposite directions. These throws balance each other effectively, keeping the water level relatively stable. While low and high tides occur during a neap tide, the height interval between them is very minimal.
Conversely, on a spring tide, the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in syzygy, meaning they’re all lined up in a row. Because the sun and moon are getting closer, they generate a much greater force, creating consequently higher and lower tides. During spring tides, people can use the low tide to harvest various organisms from rocks that are normally covered by water, and ships can also time departures and arrivals to coincide with the tide.
The sun and moon orient themselves to create a neap tide when the moon is one-quarter full, which occurs twice during the lunar cycle. Spring tides occur when the moon is full and dark. People who want to get a rough idea of what to expect with the tides can check and see where they are in the lunar cycle to determine whether there will be a steep or spring tide. More information about when high and low tides will occur can be gleaned from organizations that provide tidal and meteorological data.
People may want to be aware that the topography of the Earth affects the tides, which is why tidal levels are not the same across the entire Earth, or even in a similar region of the Earth. Tide charts generally indicate the area to which they apply, and some have conversion tables that can be used in nearby regions to determine when high and low tides will occur and what their heights will be.
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