Question

Differentiate between Tidal waves and Tidal current

Answer 1

Waves, tides and currents are three types of natural phenomena that occur on water and whilst they are similar in nature, they are not the same thing. While all three are related to bodies of water, they differ based on their causes, intensity and frequency among other factors [1]. Another common misconception is that while these phenomena are known to drive the sea, the ocean itself is not responsible for the generation of waves, tides and currents. Waves for example are influenced by the action of wind on the surface of the ocean while currents are influenced by the heat from the sun on the equator and cooler poles. Tides on the other hand are caused by gravitational forces from the moon and sun. All three contain some form of moving and potential energy and slight changes can lead to much larger downstream effects that affect nearby communities and recreational users.

Waves

Waves are defined as the movement of water that occurs on the surface of water bodies like oceans, seas, lakes and rivers. While no two waves are identical, they share common traits like having a measurable height which is defined as the distance from its crest to its trough.

What influences waves?

They are usually created by winds which transfer energy to the water as they blow over. This results in the production of small water movements known as ripples [1]. These ripples can subsequently grow in size, length and speed to form what we know as waves. These waves are commonly also known as ocean surface waves due to them being generated from the wind passing over the surface of the water [3]. Waves are usually influenced by a range of factors such as wind speed, duration and distance. They are also influenced by the width of the surrounding areas and the depth of the water body itself. As the wind die down, so the height of the wave decreases and while some waves can be small and gentle, if the conditions are right, waves of up to 90 feet can be formed. Powerful waves such as tidal waves or tsunamis can also be formed as a result of earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruptions.

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Types of waves

There are many different types of waves such as capillary waves, ripples, seas and swells and they can manifest in a range of shapes and sizes, such as small waves or big swells that can travel over long distances. The size and shape of the wave can also reveal its origin. A small and choppy wave most likely was formed locally by a storm for example while larges waves with high crests suggest origins from far away, possibly in another hemisphere. The size of a wave is usually determined by the distance which the wind blows over the open water, the length of time the wind blows for and the speed of the wind. The greater the above specified parameters, the larger the wave.

Tides

Tides are formed as a result of centrifugal force and the gravitational attraction between the Earth, Moon and Sun and are often characterised by movements of water over extended periods of time [1]. This rise and fall of water, or rather the difference between the crests and troughs, are defined as tides.

What influences tides?

The rotation of the Earth together with the gravitational force of the moon results in water being pulled towards the moon. This causes a rise in the water. As the moon rotates around the Earth, the areas experiencing this pull will form what is known as high tides while other areas not feeling this pull will experience a low tide. A similar effect is caused as a result of the sun however this pull is not as strong because the sun is further away from the Earth [3]. Tides mostly occur in deep oceanic regions and are affected by a range of factors such as the alignment of the sun and moon, the pattern of tidal movements and the shape of the coastline.

Answer 2

A tidal wave is a shallow water wave caused by the gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon, and Earth and Tidal currents, as their name suggests, are generated by tides. Tides are essentially long, slow waves created by the gravitational pull of the moon, and to a lesser degree, the sun, on the earth's surface.

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