low tide

Low tide refers to the farthest ebb of the tide. Tides are cyclic deformations of astronomical bodies caused by gravitational forces from other bodies. On Earth, the most familiar tides are the periodic variations in sea level influenced by the Moon and the Sun. The Moon's gravitational pull is the primary driver, about 2.2 times stronger than the Sun's.123

These gravitational forces cause water to accumulate on the side of Earth facing the Moon and on the opposite side, resulting in two high tides and two low tides approximately every 24 hours and 50 minutes. When the Sun and Moon align, their combined forces create larger spring tides. Conversely, when they are at right angles, neap tides occur with a smaller range. Factors like continents and water depth create more complex tidal behaviors.3