Understanding the Moon's Impact on Tides

What purpose does the Moon serve? Contrary to popular myths, it's not made of cheese, lacks an active base, and is, in essence, a rather ordinary rock. Nevertheless, it exerts a gravitational influence on Earth, affecting our oceans and creating waves. When the Earth and Moon align in specific ways, this gravitational pull can lead to tidal floods. NASA has indicated that due to rising sea levels, we can expect to see a significant increase in high tide flooding starting in the 2030s.

High tide flooding is defined as when the tide rises above its typical average by approximately half a meter, leading to water intrusion into streets and drainage systems. If you’ve encountered images of people wading through knee-deep water, these high tide floods are often the culprit.

The research was conducted by NASA's Sea Level Change Science Team at the University of Hawaii. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson elaborated on the findings:

Low-lying regions that are near sea level face escalating risks from increased flooding, a situation that is expected to worsen. The interplay between the Moon's gravitational forces, rising sea levels, and climate change will intensify coastal flooding in the U.S. and globally.

Beginning in the mid-2030s, coastal areas in the United States are likely to experience a rise in flooding incidents. Urgent upgrades to infrastructure are necessary now, as ten floods within a month could financially cripple small businesses and lead to the spread of diseases.

The Moon’s wobble occurs as a natural part of its orbit, cycling every eighteen years between periods of elevated and lowered tides. Although we are currently in a high tide phase, flooding has not been as severe as anticipated.

However, with rising sea levels, we can expect a dramatic increase in flooding during future cycles. Urban planners must consider sea levels when designing new buildings. For instance, while a structure may be engineered to endure hurricane floods, it may not withstand multiple high tide floods in a single month.

It’s important to note that the Moon is not the sole factor contributing to flooding. Our dependence on fossil fuels and non-renewable energy sources has led to rising sea levels. Moreover, the U.S. has lagged in addressing infrastructure needs.

Recently, a section of a high-rise building in Florida collapsed, resulting in loss of life. The significant structural issues were identified back in 2018 but were never resolved. This situation highlights a broader problem—many states require urgent infrastructure reforms, as roads, bridges, and buildings remain highly susceptible to damage.

Investing in infrastructure could mitigate the worst effects of tidal flooding. Yet, we will continue to grapple with the disastrous consequences of human-induced environmental changes. Oil companies are actively spreading misinformation to sway climate policy, raising the question: will we be prepared for flooding a decade from now?

NASA has predicted that the Moon's wobble will lead to increased coastal flooding, particularly in the 2030s. This video discusses the potential consequences of these changes.

Watch how the Moon's wobble may contribute to record-breaking floods in the 2030s, according to a recent NASA study.

Conclusion

Investing in infrastructure is crucial to prevent the severe impacts of tidal flooding. However, we still face challenges from anthropogenic environmental changes. The ongoing efforts of oil companies to influence climate policy through misinformation present additional obstacles. Will we be ready for the flooding that lies ahead?