Which tidal current is generated by a difference in water height at opposite ends of a strait?

Master the Navigation, Seamanship, and Shiphandling (NSS) – Officer of the Deck (OOD) Phase 2 Exam with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare comprehensively for your test!

Multiple Choice

Which tidal current is generated by a difference in water height at opposite ends of a strait?

Explanation:
When there’s a difference in water height at opposite ends of a strait, water flows through the strait to balance the levels. That flow is driven by the resulting pressure gradient created by the height difference, so it’s a hydraulic tidal current. The current direction follows the higher-water side to the lower-water side and reverses as the tide changes. This is distinct from rotary tidal currents (circulatory patterns around features), thermohaline currents (density-driven by temperature and salinity), and wind-driven currents (driven by surface winds).

When there’s a difference in water height at opposite ends of a strait, water flows through the strait to balance the levels. That flow is driven by the resulting pressure gradient created by the height difference, so it’s a hydraulic tidal current. The current direction follows the higher-water side to the lower-water side and reverses as the tide changes. This is distinct from rotary tidal currents (circulatory patterns around features), thermohaline currents (density-driven by temperature and salinity), and wind-driven currents (driven by surface winds).

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