Tides vs Waves
Tides and Waves are two natural phenomena that appear similar when it comes to their characteristics, but there is a difference between them that should be noted. Tides are periodic rise and fall of large masses of water. They are caused by the gravitational interaction that exists between the Earth and the Moon. On the other hand, waves are caused by the winds blowing on the surface of the ocean or even lakes. This happens all the time. This is one of the important differences between tides and waves. Other than this, there are other differences between tides and waves, which will be discussed in this article.
What are Tides?
Tides do occur in the ocean when the Earth, the Sun and the Moon are in a line. It is interesting to note that two high tides and two low tides are usually experienced by the ocean on each day. As a matter of fact, in addition to oceans, large lakes can also experience small tides, sometimes. Furthermore, tides are formed when sea level rises and falls for a period spanning several hours. When the sea leave rises for a period spanning several hours, the water rises to its highest level. When the level of the sea falls for a period spanning several hours, then the water level decreases during that time. These two incidents are called the high tide and low tide. High tide is considered very dangerous. In coastal areas, sometimes there are caves. Some of these caves get drowned during the high tide. So people, who visit these caves, usually, are very careful about not getting caught in the high tide.
What are Waves?
The wind has no effect on the perfect calm sea. But, as it begins to slide over the surface of the water then it causes the water to move. Small ripples are thus formed. These ripples find their way to the shore and then break on the shore. These wind waves range from small ripples to huge waves. Ocean surface wave is the name given to a wind wave generated in the ocean. Wave is formed by various factors such as wind speed, the distance to which the wind slides, width of the area affected by fetch, the length of time the wind has blown over the area, and of course the depth of water.
What is the difference between Tides and Waves?
• Tides are periodic rise and fall of large masses of water. They are caused by the gravitational interaction that exists between the Earth and the Moon.
• On the other hand, waves are caused by the winds blowing on the surface of the ocean or even lakes. This happens all the time.
• Tides only occur in the oceans, while waves can be seen in any water body. However, large lakes can sometimes experience small tides.
• Tides and waves differ from each other in their method of formation. Wave is formed by various factors such as wind speed, the distance to which the wind slides, width of the area affected by fetch, the length of time the wind has blown over the area, and of course the depth of water. Tides are formed depending on the behavior of the moon and the sun.
Images Courtesy: Tidal Range via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
