What is a moon phase?
Moon Phase and Tides Moon Phase / Tide indicators by Oregon Scientific weather stations: The above diagram shows the main states of the moon and the effect these have on the tides. Spring Tides: these are defined as the highest high tides and the lowest low tides, they occur when the Earth, Moon and Sun all lie in the same plane (their gravitational pull act in the same direction increasing the pull and movement of water around the Earth). This occurs at full and new moon. Neap Tides: these are defined as the lowest high tides and the highest low tides, they occur when the Sun and Moon lie perpendicular to each other (their gravitational pull lessens the movement of water around the Earth). This occurs at first and last quarter. Median tides occur at all other times when the moon phase is at waxing/waning crescent or waxing/waning gibbous. Please note: The moon phase on shows tidal range at anyone point in time, it will not specify exactly when high/low tide is at your local port. You
