![]() ![]() ![]() This natural cycle of orbits is called the lunar nodal cycle. The moon’s orbital plane precesses, or wobbles, to a maximum and minimum of +/- 5 degrees over a period of about 18.6 years. But that impact is less than half of what the moon contributes.Įarth’s ecliptic and equatorial planes. The sun plays a role too: Earth’s rotation, as well as its elliptic orbit around the sun, generates tides that vary throughout the day and the year. Some tides are higher than others, depending on geography. As Earth rotates through these bulges, high tides appear in each coastal area every 12 hours and 25 minutes. There’s a similar bulge on the opposite side of the planet due to inertia of the water. In the simplest terms, the moon’s gravitational pull creates a bulge in the ocean water that is closest to it. More specifically, Earth rotating beneath the moon once per day and the moon orbiting around Earth once per month are the big reasons that the ocean is constantly sloshing around. The moon’s gravitational pull is the dominant reason we have tides on Earth. What the moon has to do with coastal flooding I am an atmospheric scientist at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science who keeps a close eye on sea level rise in Miami. Global sea level is still rising with the warming planet, and that 18.6-year cycle will soon be working against us. Brian McNoldy, CC BY-NDīut communities shouldn’t get complacent. The basic model assumes a constant linear increase of sea level, so it doesn’t capture the expected acceleration of sea level rise. This simplified chart illustrates how the lunar nodal cycle suppresses and enhances the effects of sea level rise in Miami.
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