NASA says Moon ‘wobble’ could cause more floods in 2030s
Recommended for Secondary Grades
We know that the gravitational pull of the Moon can affect tides in the ocean on Earth.
Now, a new NASA study says that in the 2030s, US coastal areas could face an increase in high tide floods. This will be due to a ‘wobble’ in the Moon’s orbit.
Such a ‘wobble’ in the Moon’s orbit lasts 18.6 years. And during this time, there is a period where tides in Earth’s oceans are highly affected. While the ‘wobble’ has always been there, this combined with rising sea levels (due to climate change) will make the impact stronger.
High tide or nuisance floods happen when low-lying areas, especially streets, get flooded by ocean water during high tide events. While high tide floods may not seem that dangerous at first, they will affect homes and businesses in the long run.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) reported over 600 high tide floods in 2019. But the new study says that these floods could last a month or longer in the 2030s. But it also depends on the positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.
This study is the first of its kind, which looks at all known oceanic and astronomical causes for floods.
Here is a video on how the Moon affects the ocean’s tides:
Are you interested in the latest news updates? Or are you curious enough to enjoy reading non-fictional information and trivia? We at Curious Times are committed to providing the best experience and news to children. Do also check out the Curious Times Weekly newspaper every week and The Curious Magazine every month.
We are also delighted to publish the creative art, photographs, write up and more that children send us in My Expressions. Do write to us at hello@curioustimes.in. You can also reach out to us on WhatsApp, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook.
2 (Please login to give a Curious Clap to your friend.)