Tidal Patterns
There should be two high tides and two low tides of unequal height during a lunar day in most areas on Earth. However, the many depths, sizes, and shapes of the ocean basins modify tides and exposes three different patterns in different parts of the world. The three include diurnal, semidiurnal, and mixed.
Diurnal tidal patterns occur daily, having one high tide and one low tide each lunar day. They are more common in shallow inland seas and along the coast of Southeast Asia. Diurnal patterns tidal period is 24 hours and 50 minutes.
Semidiurnal tidal patterns occurs twice daily, having two high tides and two low tides each lunar day. These patterns are more common around the Atlantic Coast of the USA. The time period for this specific tidal pattern is 12 hours and 25 minutes.
Mixed tidal patterns exhibits characteristics of both diurnal and semidiurnal tides. These tidal patterns are the most common in the world right along the Pacific Coast of North America. They usually have a tidal period of 12 hours and 25 minutes as well, but will sometimes switch to diurnal periods.
Diurnal tidal patterns occur daily, having one high tide and one low tide each lunar day. They are more common in shallow inland seas and along the coast of Southeast Asia. Diurnal patterns tidal period is 24 hours and 50 minutes.
Semidiurnal tidal patterns occurs twice daily, having two high tides and two low tides each lunar day. These patterns are more common around the Atlantic Coast of the USA. The time period for this specific tidal pattern is 12 hours and 25 minutes.
Mixed tidal patterns exhibits characteristics of both diurnal and semidiurnal tides. These tidal patterns are the most common in the world right along the Pacific Coast of North America. They usually have a tidal period of 12 hours and 25 minutes as well, but will sometimes switch to diurnal periods.