User:Fcatauro/Tidal flooding

2030 Prediction
Nasa predicts that by the mid 2030s, all U.S. coast lines will experience a rapid increase in high tide sea levels. These new increases are attributed to the effect climate change has on lunar cycles, amplifying sea levels. Southern territories along the Gulf Coast have been dealing with tidal flooding and high-tide floods which are common occurrence today, but the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) believes that the rising sea levels coinciding with lunar cycles will cause coastal cities and regions all of the United States to see an accelerated increase in flood numbers in the next decade. Flooding is not an uncommon trend, but because of climate change, tidal flooding is expected to surpass all historic thresholds more often than ever before. These floods will also last longer, as more water is occupying the space and the position of the moon at the time is a determinant.

King Tides

In a coastal area, particularly along the Atlantic cost, are prone to flooding during high tides, and the king tide is the highest projected (high) tide of the year and is most common in coastal locations, occurring once to twice a year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are responsible for anticipating and predicting these occurrences. To better predict and analyze these occurrences, the NOAA collects data from tides and currents station maps, that identify stations that collect data on water levels, meteorology, as well as currents.

King tides produce abnormally high water levels, which may result in localized tidal flooding. As sea levels continue to increase, evaluating king tides provides a glimpse into how tidal flooding and future water levels will effect costal communities and public expenditures on infrastructure and restoration.

Introduction

The article had a good introductory paragraph that effectively summarized the important facts and context surrounding Tidal Flooding to introduce the reader to the articles contents.

Effects on Infrastructure

The consequences of Tidal flooding on infrastructure are undeniable, and I thought it was instructive that they noted how it might interfere with natural gravity-based drainage systems when it reaches a depth below the surface. The article accurately described the effects of tidal flooding on natural gravity-based drainage systems and how it is exacerbated by factors such as rainfall. However, something that was not emphasized and which I believe would add value to the articles content would be to offer some potential solutions that have been in discussion and/or in question.

Relation to Climate Change

The article did an excellent job of describing the locations most affected by climate change in terms of tidal flooding, particularly  'sunny day flooding'. However, it did not go as far into the technical details as it might have. It would have been useful to give information on the science and logic behind this phenomenon, which would greatly benefit the reader. What occurs, for instance, when the sun strikes the ice? How does that reintroduce itself into the earth? Why is it affecting cities more and more if the locations most impacted by climate change (in terms of TF) are coast and colder areas?, etc.

Addition Context Worth Including:

The tidal cycle is produced by the rotation of the Earth in conjunction with the gravitation pull of the moon and sun. While these forces work on a global scale, wind patterns and shoreline features influence the timing and range of tides in a given location. High and low tides occur twice daily on the East Coast; they occur just once daily on the gulf Coast.

Spring tides occur about twice a month, on the new and full moons. At various times of the year, the combined gravitational pull of the sun and moon exerts a greater strain on the Earth's seas. As a result, high tides are greater and low tides are, in turn, less than usual. etc.