king tide
Maximum tidal range
A king tide is an exceptionally high tide that occurs when the sun and moon align to exert maximum gravitational pull on the oceans—typically during new and full moons when the moon is closest to Earth.
King tides can cause coastal flooding even without storms: The king tide pushed seawater into streets that normally stay dry.
Climate scientists use them to preview future sea-level impacts.
Trilinear celestial arrangement
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
- full moonCompletely lit satellite phase
- new moonUnlit lunar phase
- lunar cycleMoon's orbital period
gravitational pull · supermoon · orbit · apogee · moonrise · phases · lunation · orbital mechanics
Maximum tidal level
- ebb and flowCyclical rise and decline
- sea levelElevation reference point
- water levelHeight of liquid surface
- crestHighest point or tuft
surge · swell · inundation · overflow
Land-water boundary
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
- seawallCoastal erosion barrier
- intertidal zoneShore covered and uncovered daily
- beach erosionShore loss from water
dunes · mangrove · harbor · marina · sandbar · floodplain · waterfront · esplanade
Overwhelming surge of water
- delugeSevere overflow of water
- overflowExceed capacity and spill
- submergePlunge beneath liquid
- engulfCompletely surround and cover
waterlogged · storm drain · stormwater · backflow · road closures · basement flooding · property damage · flood warning
Increasing ocean surface height
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- glacial meltFrozen mass becoming water
- thermal expansionVolume increase from warming
storm surge · climate adaptation · climate monitoring · greenhouse gases · environmental impact · habitat loss · coral bleaching
syzygy
Trilinear celestial arrangement
lunar cycle · gravitational pull · supermoon · orbit · apogee · moonrise · phases · lunation · orbital mechanics
high water
Maximum tidal level
- ebb and flowCyclical rise and decline
- sea levelElevation reference point
- water levelHeight of liquid surface
crest · surge · swell · inundation · overflow
shoreline
Land-water boundary
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
- seawallCoastal erosion barrier
- intertidal zoneShore covered and uncovered daily
beach erosion · dunes · mangrove · harbor · marina · sandbar · floodplain · waterfront · esplanade · seashore
inundation
Overwhelming surge of water
engulf · waterlogged · storm drain · stormwater · backflow · road closures · basement flooding · property damage · flood warning · evacuation
sea level rise
Increasing ocean surface height
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- glacial meltFrozen mass becoming water
thermal expansion · storm surge · climate adaptation · climate monitoring · greenhouse gases · environmental impact · habitat loss · coral bleaching
- Ocean Phenomenatsunami, tides, rogue wave, ocean current, swells
- coastal floodingsea level rise, storm surge, inundation, flood risk, coastal retreat
- coastal processeswaves, tides, currents, surf, breakers
- tidal movementsebb, flow, slack water, slack, diurnal
- tidestides, spring tides, ebb tides, flood tides, lunar tides
- Coastal Eventshurricane, tsunami, storm surge, coastal storm, coastal flooding