What is it About Full Moons and Tides? opus 971
| 10 October 2026 2107 Hours | | Climate, Environment, Science |
Perhaps many of you know this already,
But the moon is obviously full bodied at all times.
The question is: what is different about a full moon and high tides?
The moon affects our earthly tides regardless of its phase,
So what is different about a full moon and tides?
Well, the full moon appears 'full' to us and is thus opposite the sun.
And the sun is fully opposite our lunar body.
Thus the pull of the moon and the sun together are extra-powerfull,
And the tides are affected accordingly:
Two solar bodies pulling simultaneously on our liquid oceans.
If storm conditions align, the tides can be overwhelming.
The opposite also occurs during the first and third quarter moons.
When the moon and sun are at a 90-degree angle to the earth,
The sun's gravity is fighting against that of the moon.
This partial cancellation creates Neap Tides,
Resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.
Please do not forget the dynamic universe in which we live.
Even the solid ground of the Earth bulges from these same forces!