tidelines
Marks from waves
Tidelines are the visible marks left on a shore, surface, or object showing where water reached at high tide.
Sand, seaweed, and debris accumulate along these boundaries: We walked along the tideline, collecting shells.
The term extends to any watermark or stain showing a former water level—on a bathtub, a flooded wall, or the pages of a water-damaged book.
Sea-delivered shore lumber
- seaweedSaltwater aquatic plants
- flotsamDebris from wrecked vessels
- jetsamGoods deliberately discarded at sea
- shellsProtective outer layers
kelp · wrack · microplastics · ghost nets · sea glass · cuttlebone · mermaid's purses · feathers
Tide's deposit line
- watermarkTranslucent authentication mark
- salt crustHardened mineral surface layer
Gradual retreat seaward
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- lunar cycleMoon's orbital period
- high waterMaximum tidal level
- low waterMinimum tide level
Coastal avian foragers
- ploversShort-billed coastal waders
- oystercatchersShorebirds that pry open shellfish
- sandpipersSmall probing shorebirds
- crabsClawed marine decapods
wading birds · gulls · scavengers · foraging · coastal ecosystem · biodiversity · decomposition · food web
driftwood
Sea-delivered shore lumber
- seaweedSaltwater aquatic plants
- flotsamDebris from wrecked vessels
- jetsamGoods deliberately discarded at sea
shells · kelp · wrack · microplastics · ghost nets · sea glass · cuttlebone · mermaid's purses · feathers · crab shells
strandline
Tide's deposit line
- watermarkTranslucent authentication mark
- salt crustHardened mineral surface layer
ebb
Gradual retreat seaward
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- lunar cycleMoon's orbital period
- high waterMaximum tidal level
low water · gravitational pull · surge · retreat · semidiurnal
shorebirds
Coastal avian foragers
- ploversShort-billed coastal waders
- oystercatchersShorebirds that pry open shellfish
- sandpipersSmall probing shorebirds
crabs · wading birds · gulls · scavengers · foraging · coastal ecosystem · biodiversity · decomposition · food web
tidelinessurf
Waves near shore
breaking waves · current · open sea · deep water · offshore waters
tidelinesopen ocean
Sea far from shore
deep sea · inland · high ground · dry land · interior