The shape of the Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is a long, narrow bay that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. This shape creates a natural funnel for the incoming tide, which amplifies the tidal range. As the tide comes in, the water is forced into the narrow bay and the water level rises rapidly.
The rotation of the Earth
The Earth's rotation also plays a role in the Bay of Fundy's high tides. As the Earth rotates, the water on the surface of the ocean is pulled towards the equator by the centrifugal force. This creates a bulge of water in the ocean, which is called the equatorial bulge. The Bay of Fundy is located at a high latitude, so it is farther from the equator than the center of the ocean. This means that the water level in the Bay of Fundy is lower than the water level in the equatorial bulge. When the tide comes in, the water from the equatorial bulge flows into the Bay of Fundy, further increasing the tidal range.
The gravitational pull of the moon and sun
The gravitational pull of the moon and sun also contribute to the Bay of Fundy's high tides. The moon's gravitational pull is strongest when the moon is full or new, and the sun's gravitational pull is strongest when the sun is directly overhead. When these two forces are combined, they create a very strong gravitational pull that pulls water towards the Bay of Fundy. This further increases the tidal range.
Summary
The Bay of Fundy's high tides are caused by a combination of the shape of the bay, the rotation of the Earth, and the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. These factors work together to create a unique tidal environment that is found nowhere else in the world.
