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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Hydrobiology > Marine biology
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Tides: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback)
Loot Price: R275
Discovery Miles 2 750
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Tides: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback)
Series: Very Short Introductions
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List price R305
Loot Price R275
Discovery Miles 2 750
You Save R30 (10%)
Expected to ship within 9 - 17 working days
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The tide is the greatest synchronised movement of matter on our
planet. Every drop of seawater takes part in tidal motion, driven
by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. At the coast, we see
the tide as a twice-daily rise and fall of sea level that moves the
edge of the sea up and down a beach or cliff-face. In some places,
the tide is small but at others it can rise in a few hours by the
height of a three storey building; it then has to be treated with
great respect by those who live and work by the sea. In this Very
Short Introduction David George Bowers and Emyr Martyn Roberts
explore what we know about the tides. Blending clear explanations
of well known tidal phenomena with recent insights in the deep
ocean and coastal seas, Bowers and Roberts use examples from around
the world, to tell the story of the tide, considering its nature
and causes, its observation and prediction, and unusual tides and
their relevance. They explore why tides have attracted the
attention of some of the world's greatest scientists, from the
initial challenge of explaining why there are two tides a day when
the moon and sun pass overhead just once; a problem that was solved
by Isaac Newton. In the 19th century, scientists unravelled the
rhythms of the tide; good tidal predictions in the form of tide
tables were then possible. The predictions were made on beautiful
tide predicting machines constructed of brass and mahogany, some of
which can still be seen in maritime museums. In the 20th century,
the importance of tides as mixers of sea water became evident. As
Bowers and Roberts explore, tidal mixing of the ocean is essential
for maintaining its deep circulation, a key part of the
climate-control system of our planet. In inshore waters, tidal
mixing enhances biological productivity, influences sea temperature
and turbidity and creates dramatic features such as maelstroms and
tidal bores. In the 21st century, space probes are examining the
effects of tidal processes on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn and
the possibility of tidally-heated liquid oceans with their own
ecosystems. Looking to the cutting edge of tidal research, Bowers
and Roberts also consider how we can study the role of the tide in
the geological and biological evolution of our own planet with
innovative computer models. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short
Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds
of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books
are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our
expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and
enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly
readable.
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