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Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy PDF Download

Waves & Tides

Ocean Waves

Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor AcademyWaves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy

  • They are caused due to the friction with the winds.
  • There is no forward movement of water in a wave.
  • When a wave enters shallow water, it breaks.
  • The top of it is thrown forward and this is when water moves forward.
  • Water from the breaking wave runs up the shore as swash and back down the shore as backwash
  • The maximum height of waves in most oceans is about 12 m but they may be as high as 15 m.
  • Seismic waves or tsunamis are the waves caused by earthquakes in volcanic eruptions in the sea bottom.

Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy

Ocean Tides

Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy

  • Refer to the phenomenon of regular rise and fall of the sea water.
  • Though both sun and moon exert gravitational force on earth, resulting in the production of tides, the moon, by nature of its closeness to the earth, has greater control over the timings of the tidal rises and falls.
  • The interval between two tides is 12 hrs and 26 minutes.

Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy

Spring Tide

  • When the sun, moon and the earth are in a straight line, the gravitational force is at its greatest because tide producing forces of both sun and moon complement each other and they pull together.
  • This produces tides of unusually great range, called the spring tide.

 

Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy

Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy

  • These occur about twice a month:
    • at new moon when the sun and the moon are in conjugation and
    • at full moon when they are in opposition.

 

Neap Tide

  • Lowest magnitude as the tide producing forces of sun and moon act opposite to each other, as they form a triangle.
  • This happens during phases of first and third quarter, i.e., at half moon, the sun’s tide producing force tends to balance the tide producing force of the moon; resulting in tides of unusually small range known as neap tides.

 

Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy

The document Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy is a part of the UPSC Course Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy.
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FAQs on Waves & Tides - Physical Geography, UPSC, IAS. - Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy

1. What causes waves in the ocean?
Ans. Waves in the ocean are primarily caused by the transfer of energy from the wind blowing across the water's surface. The friction between the wind and the water creates ripples, which then develop into waves. Other factors like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and gravitational forces from the moon and sun can also contribute to the formation of waves.
2. How do tides occur?
Ans. Tides occur due to the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans. The moon's gravitational force is stronger than the sun's, so it has a more significant impact on tides. As the Earth rotates, the gravitational pull of the moon causes a bulge of water on the side facing the moon, creating a high tide. On the opposite side, there is another high tide due to the centrifugal force. The areas in between experience low tides.
3. What is the difference between waves and tides?
Ans. Waves and tides are both related to the movement of water, but they have distinct characteristics. Waves are caused by wind energy transferring to the water's surface, leading to the up and down motion of water particles. Tides, on the other hand, are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. Waves are localized disturbances while tides are global phenomena.
4. How do waves and tides impact coastal areas?
Ans. Waves and tides have significant impacts on coastal areas. Waves can erode coastlines, reshape beaches, and impact marine ecosystems. They also play a crucial role in the formation of landforms such as sea cliffs and sandbars. Tides, especially high tides, can cause coastal flooding, affecting human settlements, agriculture, and infrastructure. They also influence the movement and distribution of marine species.
5. Can waves and tides be predicted?
Ans. Yes, waves and tides can be predicted to a certain extent. Wave forecasts are commonly used by surfers, sailors, and coastal managers to plan their activities. These forecasts rely on data from weather buoys, satellite observations, and computer models that consider wind speed, direction, and other factors. Tides are more predictable since they follow a regular pattern based on the positions of the moon and the sun. Tide tables are available to inform coastal communities about high and low tide times.
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