Springtij

Springtij is a tidal phenomenon in which the difference between high and low tide is greatest. It occurs roughly twice in every lunar month, during the new moon and the full moon phases, when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned. The gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun reinforce each other, producing larger tidal bulges and a greater overall tidal range.

The amplitude of a springtide depends on several factors: the Moon’s distance from Earth (perigee or apogee), the Sun’s elevation, the alignment of the ecliptic, and local coastal bathymetry and topography. The strongest effects are observed in areas with broad continental shelves and funnel-shaped coastlines; the Bay of Fundy is a well-known example of extreme spring tides.

The term springtij derives from the old sense of springing forth or jumping, referring to the rising and falling of tides rather than the season of spring. After a spring tide, tides gradually recede until the next alignment with the new or full moon, when another spring tide occurs. In addition to astronomical factors, weather conditions such as wind and atmospheric pressure can modulate the observed tides, potentially exaggerating or damping the high and low water levels.