# Why such different tidal ranges? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 31, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-different-tidal-ranges/74398 "2001-07-31T22:05:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Swirdle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Swirdle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swirdle)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-different-tidal-ranges/74398/1 "2001-07-31T22:05:10Z")
Tidal range means the difference between low tide and high tide. This can be two similar things: 1 the ‘difference’ changes with spring and neap tides 2 the ‘difference’ is a constant (avaerage) measurement asigned to a specific coatal location, other locations will have their own values. What I want to find out is regarding number 2 above… How is it that different coastal locations which are quite close to each other can have very different tidal range values? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bad_Astronomer)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2001, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-different-tidal-ranges/74398/2 "2001-07-31T23:12:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by English Cid \* > \*\*How is it that different coastal locations which are quite close to each other can have very different tidal range values? \*\* It depends on many factors. The shape of the coastline makes a difference as does the difference in the sloping of the ground underneath the water beyond the beach. As to how these make a difference, you’ll need to speak to an oceanographer. I only do lunar and solar tides. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-different-tidal-ranges/74398/3 "2001-08-01T00:47:33Z")
This is what I was told - As the moon goes round the earth it pulls water. That water is sometimes funneled into a narrower area so the water builds up and gives a higher high tide. The greatest tidal dif. (IIRC) is in Nova Scotia. I don’t know if the above ‘funneling effect’ is the reason for this here. ---
**Author:** ![Swirdle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Swirdle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swirdle)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2001, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-different-tidal-ranges/74398/4 "2001-08-05T10:30:53Z")
I pressed ‘submit’ twice by accident and got 2 threads. Sorry. Please refer to the other one for more replies. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2001, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-different-tidal-ranges/74398/5 "2001-08-05T14:24:57Z")
Duplicate thread : please respond here : [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=79985](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=79985)