Has anyone got any good information about how tides affect ocean currents. E.g. does the tide affect the EAC, how and to what extent?
Jev, I will start by saying I wouldn't have a clue. But just thinking out loud in the hope that it will cause discussion.
A current is a continual flow, while a tide is a rise and fall of water. That rise in water also causes a flow of sorts or a localised current (for want of a better analogy).
The EAC for example runs from approx. Fraser Is in QLD to Tasmania before it heads off back to the east below NZ. So for the guys heading to Norfolk Is, they would primarily be concerned about the north/south aspect of the current.
The coast line closest to the EAC would be the east coast of Aust. So a rise in tide, could cause a westerly flow in localised water, possible deflecting the EAC slightly west and opposite for a failing tide. If this is true, or even measurable, I wouldn't have the faintest. But logical in my mind. I am happy to learn otherwise.
Does an oceanic chart have Tidal Diamonds?
Off Sydney the tidal flow is very small. Somebody on here once pointed out the chart shows it is up to 0.5kts close to the coast. In truth it is negligible but if the inshore eddy coincides with the tidal flow it might be noticeable.
It doesn't affect the EAC down here which is usually a long way offshore near Sydney.
The EAC is close in further north , say near Smoky Cape where it can be very close in. Tidal flows may impact up there, I don't know.
Bottom line, tidal flows on a nearly north south coast is negligible. Offshore there is no tidal impact on currents.
You can see the currents here:www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/forecasts/idyoc14.shtml?region=14&forecast=2
Select to expand quoteSandS said..
question for the nsw crew ...whats the tide range up there say around Sydney ?
The range between a neap low and high tide is about 1 metre, between low and high of a spring tide about 2 metres.
Select to expand quoteMorningBird said..
Off Sydney the tidal flow is very small. Somebody on here once pointed out the chart shows it is up to 0.5kts close to the coast. In truth it is negligible but if the inshore eddy coincides with the tidal flow it might be noticeable.
It doesn't affect the EAC down here which is usually a long way offshore near Sydney.
The EAC is close in further north , say near Smoky Cape where it can be very close in. Tidal flows may impact up there, I don't know.
Bottom line, tidal flows on a nearly north south coast is negligible. Offshore there is no tidal impact on currents.
Yes, from what i gathered on the web tide does not affect currents except where two large landmasses are on close proximity, e.g. Torres Strait.
plenty here on tides ocean temp and swell,not much on the EAC
the swell buoys are very useful if you are going offshore or through a bar (or are a surfer )
new.mhl.nsw.gov.au/data/realtime/oceantide/
new.mhl.nsw.gov.au/docs/project_sheets/NSW%20Coastal%20Conference%202011%20OceanWaterLevels.pdf
