tide: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 9, 2026

News •

CFP committee ignores reality to keep Alabama ahead of Tennessee • Nov. 8, 2026, 9:00 AM ET (USA Today)

Miami gets top spot in first CFP rankings, but Tide at 5 and Irish at 11 bring a collective 'Huh?' • Nov. 3, 2026, 8:23 PM ET (AP)

Photos and Videos

Two diagrams compare how the Moon and Sun's gravitational pull affect Earth's tides. The left shows aligned Sun, Moon, and Earth causing combined pull and higher high tides, while the right shows the Moon and Sun at right angles, resulting in less pronounced tides. High and low tide areas are labeled around Earth in both diagrams.

Graphic of the Earth with two tidal bulges. Blue arrows point to the bulges against a white background.

Understand why there are high and low tides on the earth every day

How does the Moon affect Earth's tides?

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Topics

low tide lunar tide double tide atmospheric tide mixed tide tidal prism tidal range euripus phenomenon solar tide diurnal tide ocean current wave ocean acidification Water cycle lake seawater brine

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