Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Tidal wave

A tidal wave is generally a large wave or series of waves in the ocean caused by the gravitational interactions between the Earth, Moon, and Sun, manifesting as the rise and fall of sea levels known as tides.^[1] The term is often misused to describe tsunamis or storm surges, which are unrelated to tidal forces.^[2] "Tidal wave" can also refer to various phenomena in entertainment, music, and other contexts, as detailed in later sections of this article.

Oceanography

Definition and characteristics

A tidal wave is a long-period shallow-water wave generated by the gravitational interactions between the Earth, Moon, and Sun, resulting in the periodic rise and fall of ocean water levels commonly referred to as tides. Unlike other ocean waves driven by wind or seismic activity, tidal waves are predictable and global in scale, driven primarily by the Moon's gravitational pull, which is about twice as strong as the Sun's due to its proximity. These waves propagate as undulations across the ocean basins, with the Earth's rotation influencing their patterns through the Coriolis effect. Key characteristics of tidal waves include exceptionally long wavelengths, often spanning thousands of kilometers, and periods ranging from approximately 12 to 24 hours, corresponding to the semidiurnal and diurnal tidal cycles. In the open ocean, their amplitudes are typically low, rarely exceeding 1 meter, but they can amplify significantly in coastal regions due to funneling effects and resonance in enclosed basins. Tidal waves are classified as Kelvin waves in certain contexts, where they propagate along coastlines with minimal transverse motion, or as part of amphidromic systems, where rotating wave patterns circulate around nodes of zero amplitude in the ocean. These systems create co-oscillating patterns that explain varying tidal behaviors around the world's coastlines. The physical properties of tidal waves are governed by shallow-water wave dynamics, with propagation speed given by the equation c = \sqrt{gh}, where g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²) and h is the undisturbed water depth. This speed increases with depth, allowing tidal waves to travel across deep oceans at rates up to several hundred kilometers per hour before slowing in shallower coastal zones. Energy in these waves dissipates primarily through bottom friction in shallow waters and tidal mixing, which influences ocean circulation and nutrient distribution. Representative examples of tidal ranges highlight their variability; in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, extreme funneling amplifies tides to up to 16 meters between high and low water, driven by resonance with the basin's geometry. Such amplifications underscore the predictable yet locally intense nature of tidal waves, contrasting with their subdued open-ocean expression.

Formation and causes

Tidal waves, more accurately termed tides, arise primarily from the differential gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun on Earth's oceans, which deform the ocean surface into two bulges: one on the side facing the celestial body and another on the opposite side due to the centrifugal force arising from the orbital motion of the Earth-Moon and Earth-Sun systems.^[3] The Moon's gravitational influence dominates, generating a tidal force approximately 2.2 times stronger than the Sun's, despite the Sun's much greater mass, because the Moon is far closer to Earth (about 390 times nearer than the Sun).^[3] Earth's rotation modulates this effect by sweeping locations beneath the bulges twice daily, while the Coriolis effect, resulting from this rotation, deflects tidal currents and contributes to the overall pattern of tidal circulation.^[3] The equilibrium tide theory offers a foundational, idealized explanation of these processes, assuming a frictionless, global ocean that adjusts instantaneously to the tide-generating gravitational potential without interference from landmasses or rotational dynamics.^[4] In this model, the theoretical tidal height h at a point on Earth's surface is derived from the perturbing potential and approximated by

h \approx \frac{G M r^2}{g d^3} \cdot \frac{3 \cos^2 \theta - 1}{2},

where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Moon (or Sun for solar tides), d is the distance to the body, r is Earth's radius, g is gravitational acceleration, and \theta is the angular distance from the point directly beneath the body (the sub-lunar or sub-solar point).^[5] This formulation captures the latitudinal variation in tidal forcing, predicting maximum bulges at the equator and zero at about 54.7° latitude when the body is overhead, though actual heights in the model are small (around 0.5 meters for lunar tides).^[5] A more comprehensive framework is provided by the dynamic tide theory, which incorporates the complexities of Earth's rotation, irregular ocean basin geometries, frictional dissipation, and resonant wave responses to explain observed tidal patterns.^[3] Unlike the uniform response in equilibrium theory, dynamic tides treat oceans as shallow-water wave systems where energy propagates as forced oscillations, amplified or damped by basin shapes and boundaries; key features include amphidromic points—central nodes of no vertical motion around which the tidal crest rotates, with cotidal lines emanating outward like spokes on a wheel.^[3] This theory accounts for the semidiurnal or diurnal dominance in different regions, driven by the interplay of gravitational forcing and rotational deflection via the Coriolis effect.^[3] The relative positions of the Moon and Sun further modulate tidal amplitudes through constructive and destructive interference of their forces. Spring tides occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align during new or full moons, aligning the bulges to produce maximum ranges (up to 20% greater than average).^[3] Conversely, neap tides arise at first and third quarter moons, when the solar bulge is perpendicular to the lunar one, partially canceling the effect and yielding minimum ranges.^[3] These cycles repeat approximately every two weeks, superimposed on the basic gravitational framework.^[3]

Global distribution and effects

Tidal patterns exhibit significant global variation, primarily semidiurnal in most ocean basins, characterized by two high and two low tides each lunar day, as observed along the U.S. East Coast and in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.^[6] Diurnal tides, featuring one high and one low tide per day, dominate in the Pacific Ocean margins and the Gulf of Mexico, while mixed semidiurnal-diurnal regimes prevail in transitional zones like the U.S. West Coast.^[7] These distributions arise from the interplay of gravitational tidal forces with continental shelves, which amplify ranges in shallow coastal areas, and ocean basin geometries that propagate waves as standing oscillations.^[8] Notable extreme tidal ranges occur in specific locations, such as the Bristol Channel in the United Kingdom, where spring tides can exceed 14 meters due to funneling by the narrowing estuary.^[9] The Gulf of Mexico maintains predominantly diurnal tides with ranges typically under 1 meter, contrasting with the mixed patterns in the amphidromic systems of the North Sea, where cotidal lines radiate from a central nodal point of near-zero range, leading to progressive increases toward surrounding coasts.^[10] Global tidal range maps, derived from satellite altimetry data of the TOPEX/Poseidon mission via models like TPXO, reveal these patterns with high resolution, assimilating altimeter observations to estimate elevations and currents across the world's oceans.^[11] Environmentally, tides facilitate sediment transport by resuspending and redistributing particles along continental shelves and into deeper waters, shaping seabed morphology.^[12] Through vertical mixing, they drive nutrient upwelling from deeper layers to the surface, enhancing primary productivity and sustaining fisheries in coastal ecosystems, as tides can boost regional production by up to 15% in some open-ocean areas.^[13] However, intense tidal action also accelerates coastal erosion by abrading shorelines and undermining sediments, contributing to habitat loss in vulnerable areas.^[14] Human activities are profoundly influenced by these dynamics, with tidal currents reaching speeds of over 5 knots in constricted channels, complicating navigation and requiring precise timing for safe shipping passages.^[15] To mitigate such challenges while harnessing tidal energy, infrastructure like the Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station in South Korea generates 254 megawatts, the world's largest capacity, by exploiting barrage systems during ebb and flood cycles.^[16]

Tidal bores

A tidal bore is a tidally generated solitary wave that manifests as a high-velocity wave front propagating upstream against the river flow, typically forming when the incoming tide encounters narrowing channels or estuaries with large tidal ranges exceeding 4 meters.^[17] This phenomenon acts as an amplified form of coastal tidal waves, where the tidal surge compresses into a distinct front.^[17] The formation mechanics involve the compression of tidal energy within funnel-shaped estuaries, resulting in a hydraulic jump that abruptly elevates the water level.^[18] Bores develop under conditions of rapid tidal rise and low river outflow, often during spring tides, and can be undular or breaking depending on the depth ratio across the jump.^[17] Wave heights reach up to 10 meters in extreme cases, with propagation speeds of 10-30 km/h, influenced by channel geometry and freshwater discharge.^[17]^[18] Notable examples include the Severn Bore in the United Kingdom, which attains heights up to 2 meters and travels approximately 50 km upstream along the River Severn at speeds around 16 km/h, drawing spectators during high tides.^[17] The Qiantang River Bore in China represents the world's largest, surging up to 9 meters high at speeds exceeding 40 km/h and serving as an annual spectacle that attracts thousands of viewers.^[19] In Brazil, the Pororoca along the Amazon River produces waves up to 4 meters high that propagate as far as 800 km inland, establishing it as a premier destination for extreme surfers seeking prolonged rides.^[20] Tidal bores exert ecological influences by generating intense turbulence and air entrainment, which disrupt fish habitats and migration patterns in estuarine environments.^[21] For instance, the sudden surge can hinder upstream movements of migratory species, altering access to spawning grounds despite enhancing overall mixing that benefits nutrient distribution.^[22] Recreationally, these bores support surfing events, such as those on Alaska's Turnagain Arm Bore Tide, where waves up to 3 meters high travel at 16-24 km/h, enabling extended rides but posing risks from the powerful front.^[23]^[17] Historically, 19th-century records document the destructive potential of the Seine River bore in France, known as the mascaret, which reached heights of 7.3 meters and caused the loss of over 200 ships between 1789 and 1850 through capsizing and collisions.^[24]

Internal tides

Internal tides are oscillations occurring within the ocean's stratified layers, particularly at the thermocline interface between water masses of differing densities, in contrast to surface tidal waves. These baroclinic waves have typical wavelengths of 50 to 200 km for low modes and periods that align with tidal cycles, such as the semi-diurnal period of about 12.4 hours for the dominant M₂ tide.^[25]^[26] They arise from the same barotropic tidal forcing responsible for surface waves but are enabled by vertical density stratification in the ocean.^[26] Internal tides form when barotropic tidal currents flow over seafloor topography, including seamounts, mid-ocean ridges, and continental slopes, thereby converting kinetic energy from the surface tide into internal modes. This generation process accounts for approximately 1 terawatt of global internal wave energy.^[26]^[27] Key characteristics include vertical displacements reaching up to 100 meters—far exceeding those of surface tides—and propagation primarily as low-mode waves that can develop into solitary waves or internal bores over distance.^[28] These waves drive vertical mixing that upwells nutrients from deep waters to the sunlit surface layer, sustaining phytoplankton blooms and thereby influencing the global carbon cycle through enhanced biological productivity and carbon export. Their intense associated currents and shear also present navigational hazards to submarines and structural risks to offshore oil rigs.^[29]^[30] Detection of internal tides relies on instruments such as autonomous underwater gliders for profiling density and velocity, and moored acoustic Doppler current profilers for time-series measurements of currents. A prominent generation and study site is the Hawaiian Ridge, where internal tides radiate energy fluxes of around 15 gigawatts and dissipate coherently over distances exceeding 1,000 kilometers.^[31]^[32]

Distinction from tsunamis

Nature of tsunamis

A tsunami is a series of ocean waves generated by a large and sudden displacement of water in the sea or large lakes, most commonly triggered by underwater earthquakes.^[33] These waves typically feature wavelengths ranging from 100 to 1,000 kilometers in the open ocean and initial propagation speeds exceeding 700 kilometers per hour.^[34]^[35] Tsunamis are primarily generated by seismic activity in subduction zones, where tectonic plates converge and one is forced beneath another, accounting for approximately 80% of all events.^[36] The energy is released through sudden fault slip along the plate boundary, resulting in vertical or horizontal movement of the seafloor that displaces overlying water and initiates wave formation.^[37] Other mechanisms include submarine landslides and volcanic eruptions, which contribute to a smaller fraction of tsunamis, around 6% for volcanic sources and less for landslides.^[38] In the open ocean, tsunami waves propagate with low amplitudes of 30 to 60 centimeters due to their immense wavelengths relative to water depth, allowing them to travel efficiently across entire ocean basins.^[39] As they approach coastal areas, shoaling effects cause the waves to slow, compress in wavelength, and amplify dramatically, often reaching heights exceeding 30 meters through run-up and inundation of shorelines.^[40] For instance, the 2011 Tōhoku tsunami in Japan, triggered by a magnitude 9.1 subduction zone earthquake, produced maximum run-up heights of nearly 40 meters and resulted in over 18,000 deaths.^[41] Detection relies on global seismic networks to identify earthquake sources and the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) buoy system, which measures sea-level changes in real time to confirm wave propagation and enable early warnings.^[42] In deep water, tsunami speed approximates the shallow-water wave equation c = \sqrt{gh}, where g is gravitational acceleration and h is water depth, yielding velocities around 700-800 km/h in typical ocean depths of 4 km.^[43] Approximately 80% of tsunamis originate along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active belt encircling the basin, with an average of about 10 major events occurring per century.^[44]^[45] Media often mislabels these seismically driven waves as "tidal waves," despite their unrelated generation.^[33]

Historical and cultural misconceptions

The term "tidal wave" emerged in 19th-century English as a mistranslation of the Japanese word "tsunami," which literally means "harbor wave," reflecting the dramatic inland flooding that resembled an extreme tide. This linguistic choice arose from early Western observations of tsunami impacts in Japan, where the waves' gradual rise and retreat mimicked tidal movements, leading to widespread adoption of the erroneous label despite tsunamis being unrelated to astronomical tides.^[46] Historical records illustrate this misconception through specific events, such as the 1883 Krakatoa eruption, where the resulting waves—killing over 36,000 people in Java and Sumatra—were commonly described as "tidal waves" in contemporary accounts, obscuring their volcanic seismic origins. Similarly, the 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake generated a tsunami that devastated Hilo, Hawaii, claiming 165 lives; initial reports and warnings mislabeled it as a "tidal wave," contributing to delayed evacuations and heightened confusion about the threat. These examples highlight how the term perpetuated a false association with predictable tides, hindering effective response.^[47] The misconception persisted culturally into the late 20th and early 21st centuries, evident in media coverage of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, where many reports interchangeably used "tidal wave" despite the event's earthquake trigger, reinforcing public underestimation of its speed and destructiveness. Prior to this disaster, analyses of newspaper and newswire articles from the preceding four years showed predominant use of "tidal wave" over "tsunami," with the 2004 event prompting a gradual lexical shift in journalism toward the accurate term. This ongoing confusion has implications for disaster preparedness, as associating tsunamis with tides can lead individuals to dismiss warnings, assuming the waves align with predictable coastal cycles rather than sudden seismic events.^[46] Scientific efforts to rectify this began in the mid-20th century, with agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) actively promoting "tsunami" since the 1970s to emphasize its distinct geophysical causes, such as undersea earthquakes. By the 2000s, major dictionaries had updated entries to prioritize "tsunami" as the standard term, noting "tidal wave" as a deprecated synonym, which helped standardize scientific communication and public education materials. These initiatives underscore the importance of precise terminology in enhancing global awareness and mitigating risks from these unpredictable waves.^[48]^[46]

Entertainment

Films

Films featuring tidal waves, often within the disaster genre, typically portray massive waves as catastrophic forces overwhelming coastal areas, blending elements of suspense, survival, and human drama. These productions frequently draw on real-world tsunami events for inspiration but dramatize them under the "tidal wave" moniker, emphasizing spectacle over scientific precision.^[49] A prominent example is the 2009 South Korean film Haeundae (internationally titled Tidal Wave), directed by Yoon Je-kyoon, which depicts a fictional tsunami striking the Haeundae Beach area of Busan. The story follows multiple characters, including a lifeguard and his family, as they navigate personal conflicts amid the impending disaster triggered by undersea earthquakes. Produced with a budget of approximately US$10 million, the film utilized extensive computer-generated imagery (CGI) to simulate the destructive waves and collapsing structures, marking it as South Korea's first major disaster movie. It achieved significant commercial success, selling over 11.4 million tickets in South Korea alone, ranking among the country's top-grossing films at the time.^[50]^[51]^[52] Earlier cinematic depictions include the 1933 American film Deluge, directed by Felix E. Feist, which presents a post-apocalyptic scenario where earthquakes along the U.S. coasts culminate in a massive tidal wave submerging New York City. The plot shifts from the initial destruction to the survivors' struggles in a lawless aftermath, with innovative miniature effects used to depict the flooding of Manhattan's skyline. Long considered a lost film, it was rediscovered in the 1980s and is noted for pioneering the disaster genre's focus on urban annihilation.^[53]^[54] In Japanese cinema, the 1973 tokusatsu disaster film Nippon Chinbotsu (known internationally as Submersion of Japan or Tidal Wave), directed by Shirō Moritani and based on Sakyo Komatsu's novel, illustrates tectonic shifts causing tsunamis and volcanic eruptions that threaten to sink the nation. While not strictly a kaiju (giant monster) production, it incorporates elements of monstrous natural forces overwhelming Tokyo and other cities, influencing later genre works. The film grossed approximately ¥4.47 billion in Japan and heightened public discourse on seismic vulnerabilities.^[55]^[56] Another notable entry is the 1997 American made-for-television movie Tidal Wave: No Escape, directed by George T. Miller, where a series of destructive waves ravage coastal communities, prompting a retired scientist (played by Corbin Bernsen) to uncover a conspiracy behind the events. The plot revolves around artificially induced surges rather than natural tides, blending thriller elements with disaster visuals achieved through practical effects and models. Aired on CBS, it exemplifies mid-1990s telemovie trends in sensationalizing environmental threats.^[57] These films often conflate tsunamis—seismic sea waves—with true tidal waves driven by gravitational forces, exaggerating wave heights and behaviors for dramatic effect, such as towering crests that defy real hydrodynamics. For instance, Haeundae amplifies wave scales to immerse audiences in chaos, prioritizing emotional stakes over geophysical accuracy. This misrepresentation persists across the genre, where tidal terminology evokes tidal bores or surges but visually mimics tsunami inundation.^[58] Beyond titled works, films inspired by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, such as the 2012 Spanish production The Impossible directed by J.A. Bayona, have indirectly bolstered tidal wave-themed narratives by humanizing disaster survival. Based on the real experiences of survivor María Belón and her family vacationing in Thailand, it portrays the waves' raw power through a mix of practical sets and CGI, earning critical acclaim for its intensity and grossing $198 million worldwide. Such stories have contributed to greater tsunami awareness in Asia, prompting discussions on preparedness in regions like South Korea and Japan.^[59]^[60]^[61]

Amusement rides

Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park in Chertsey, Surrey, England, is a prominent example of a water-based amusement ride themed around tidal surges, operating as a Shoot-the-Chutes attraction since its opening on April 7, 2000. Riders board one of three large boats, each accommodating 20 passengers, and ascend a 85-foot (26-meter) chain-lift hill before plummeting down a near-vertical drop into a lagoon, generating a massive splash that soaks participants and onlookers alike. The ride's design simulates the forceful impact of a tidal wave crashing into a themed 1950s American fishing village in the Amity Cove area, enhancing the immersive experience with surrounding wreckage and water effects. Sponsored by Oasis from 2019 until at least 2024, it remains one of Europe's tallest water rides, drawing crowds especially during summer months when Thorpe Park sees over 1.6 million annual visitors as of 2023.^[62]^[63]^[62]^[64] In the United States, similar Tidal Wave rides have featured in various theme parks, emphasizing high-splash drops to evoke ocean wave dynamics. At Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri, the Tidal Wave Shoot-the-Chutes operated from 1991 to 2018, lifting boats to a height before releasing them into a splash pool that created a dramatic tidal-like surge, with riders experiencing speeds up to 5 mph. This attraction, manufactured by Intamin, used gravity-based mechanics rather than powered launches, focusing on the exhilarating freefall and subsequent wave impact for family thrills. Though removed in 2019 to make way for new developments, it exemplified the ride type's popularity in Midwestern parks during its nearly three-decade run.^[65] These rides typically employ chain lifts for ascent and rely on gravity for the descent, with boat capacities allowing for throughput of several hundred riders per hour depending on cycle times of 2-3 minutes; for instance, Thorpe Park's setup supports efficient operation during peak seasons. Post-2000s industry-wide incidents on water attractions, such as restraint failures and maintenance lapses reported across global parks, prompted enhanced safety protocols including automated sensors, reinforced barriers, and regular inspections to prevent ejections or collisions—measures now standard on Shoot-the-Chutes like Tidal Wave to ensure rider security. The conceptual tie to natural tidal phenomena underscores their appeal, blending entertainment with a nod to oceanic forces without replicating hazardous real-world events.^[66]^[67]^[68]

Music

Albums

Several albums titled Tidal Wave or bearing similar names have been released across various genres, often evoking themes of overwhelming emotion or natural force through their musical style and artwork. These releases span from 1970s rock to contemporary indie and stoner rock, with artists drawing on the metaphor to convey intensity in their soundscapes. The self-titled album Tidal Wave by South African rock band The Tidal Wave, released in August 1970, captured the group's energetic pop-rock sound during their peak popularity. Featuring tracks like "Spider Spider," "Green Mamba," and the hit "Mango Mango," the LP was produced amid the band's rising fame in South Africa, blending garage influences with accessible melodies that resonated locally.^[69] The album's raw production reflected the era's vibrant music scene, contributing to the band's cult following, though it remained regionally focused with limited international distribution.^[70] In the reggae genre, Jamaican singer Frankie Paul's Tidal Wave, released in 1985 on Shanachie Records, showcased his early dancehall roots with upbeat rhythms and socially infused lyrics. Key tracks included the title song "Tidal Wave," "Music Is The Staff Of Life," and "Your Love Is Amazing," highlighting Paul's smooth vocals over classic reggae instrumentation. The album marked a transitional phase in his career, bridging roots reggae and emerging dancehall, and achieved modest sales primarily in the U.S. and UK markets.^[71] The Nolans' Tidal Wave, a 1991 pop album by the Irish-New Zealand vocal group, leaned into synth-pop and adult contemporary styles, released on 21 September 1991. Produced during a later chapter of the group's career, it featured polished harmonies and radio-friendly hooks, reflecting their evolution from 1970s variety show fame to more mature pop outings. The LP received attention in Europe and Australia but did not chart highly, solidifying their niche appeal among fans of nostalgic pop.^[72] American rock band Taking Back Sunday's Tidal Wave, their seventh studio album released on 16 September 2016 via Hopeless Records, revitalized their post-hardcore roots with diverse tracks blending emo, pop-punk, and experimental elements. Recorded during tours following their 2014 release Happiness Is, the album's production emphasized surging guitars and introspective lyrics, peaking at number 36 on the Billboard 200. Critics praised its reinvigorated energy and willingness to evolve, calling it one of the band's most varied efforts.^[73]^[74] More recently, Swedish stoner rock band Tidal Wave's The Lord Knows, released on 20 January 2023 through Ripple Music, delivered fuzz-heavy riffs and psychedelic grooves across tracks like "Lizard King" and "Marijuana Trench." Building on their 2019 debut Blueberry Muffin, the album's raw, high-impact production drew influences from classic heavy rock, earning acclaim for its memorable anthems and immersive sound. It underscored the band's growing presence in the underground rock scene, with positive reviews highlighting its riff-driven intensity.^[75]^[76] American post-hardcore band Our Last Night's Tidal Wave, released on February 28, 2025, is a covers album featuring reinterpreted tracks in their signature style.^[77]

Songs

Songs titled "Tidal Wave" span multiple genres, often leveraging the phrase as a metaphor for intense emotional or personal upheavals, such as in relationships or inner turmoil.^[78] One of the earliest notable examples is the instrumental "Tidal Wave" by Dick Dale & His Del-Tones, released in 1964 on the album Summer Surf. This track exemplifies the surf rock subgenre with its fast-paced, reverb-laden guitar riffs that mimic crashing waves, contributing to the genre's cultural association with 1960s beach culture.^[79] In pop-punk, All Time Low's "Tidal Waves" (featuring Mark Hoppus), from their 2015 album Future Hearts, blends upbeat melodies with lyrics depicting emotional "waves" of regret and reconciliation, running approximately 4:09.^[80] The alternative rock band Taking Back Sunday released "Tidal Wave" in 2016 as the title track of their album Tidal Wave, featuring a Ramones-inspired punk energy with themes of irreversible change and loss. In indie rock, almost monday's "tidal wave," issued as a single in 2024, captures California summer vibes with light, synth-driven production and lyrics evoking romantic infatuation as an unstoppable force.^[81]^[82] These tracks highlight the title's versatility, from instrumental evocations of nature to lyrical explorations of human emotion, without delving into album production details beyond basic context.

Other uses

Military operations

Operation Tidal Wave was a major low-level aerial bombing operation launched by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) on August 1, 1943, targeting the oil refineries around Ploiești, Romania, to sever a critical component of the Axis powers' fuel supply. The mission involved 178 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers departing from bases in Libya, flown at altitudes as low as 50 feet to evade radar detection and improve bombing accuracy against the sprawling refinery complex, which accounted for about 60% of Nazi Germany's petroleum production. Conceived by Colonel Jacob E. Smart as part of the broader Allied oil campaign, the codename "Tidal Wave" evoked the intended overwhelming, wave-like mass assault on the heavily defended targets.^[83]^[84]^[85] The raid encountered severe challenges, including navigational errors that led to disorganized attacks and intense anti-aircraft fire from German and Romanian defenses, resulting in the loss of 54 aircraft—approximately 30% of the force—and 310 aircrew killed, with over 100 captured as prisoners of war. Despite these heavy casualties, the operation achieved partial success by damaging or destroying key facilities, temporarily reducing Romania's oil output by around 40%, which strained Axis logistics in the short term. In recognition of the mission's valor, all 1,726 participating airmen were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, marking one of the largest single distributions of the decoration in USAAF history, while five Medals of Honor were posthumously or directly bestowed for extraordinary heroism.^[86]^[87]^[88] Strategically, Operation Tidal Wave formed a pivotal element of the Allied effort to target Germany's synthetic and natural oil infrastructure, contributing to the cumulative pressure that would later culminate in the near-total collapse of Axis fuel production. Follow-up high-altitude raids on Ploiești recommenced in April 1944 from newly captured Italian airfields by the US Fifteenth Air Force, escalating the campaign and inflicting more sustained damage. Although the refineries were largely rebuilt by late 1943, restoring full capacity, the operation's disruption and the ensuing attacks accelerated the Allies' path to air superiority over Europe by diverting German resources and exposing vulnerabilities in their supply chain.^[83]^[89] The mission's legacy endures as a symbol of bold but costly innovation in aerial warfare, often remembered as "Bloody Sunday" for its disproportionate losses relative to tactical gains. It has been documented in several films, including the 1944 USAAF production Air Siege, which chronicled Fifteenth Air Force operations against Ploiești. These portrayals, alongside veteran accounts, underscore how the operation, while not decisive on its own, informed subsequent precision bombing strategies that proved instrumental in the war's outcome.^[83]^[87]

Sports and games

In sports, the name "Tidal Wave" is associated with amateur swimming teams in the United States. The Kennesaw Tidal Wave Swim Club, founded in the fall of 1998 at Kennesaw State University with an initial roster of 60 swimmers, competes in regional meets as part of USA Swimming's competitive framework.^[90] In video games, "Tidal Wave" refers to a notoriously difficult Extreme Demon level in Geometry Dash, created by OniLink and verified by player Zoink on September 9, 2023, after 49,534 attempts. This 2.1/2.2 update level is renowned for its intense gameplay, including precise wave segment obstacles that demand exceptional timing and control to navigate successfully.^[91]^[92] The level's verification marked it as one of the hardest challenges in the game's demon community, briefly topping difficulty lists before subsequent ratings. Board and card games occasionally incorporate "Tidal Wave" as a thematic element, such as in expansions for Tsuro of the Seas, where a tsunami (tidal wave) tile introduces dynamic hazards that intensify over rounds, affecting all players and creatures on the board in a 2-8 player survival-style navigation game.^[93]

References

[1]
What is a tidal wave? - NOAA's National Ocean Service
Jun 16, 2024 · A tidal wave is a shallow water wave caused by the gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon, and Earth, and is regularly reoccurring.
[2]
Tidal Wave - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
A tidal wave is a wave disturbed by land, narrow passages, and shallows, resulting from Earth's rotation and the sun and moon's gravitational fields.
[3]
What's the difference between a tsunami and a tidal wave?
and to a lesser extent, the sun. These waves are products ...
[4]
Tidal Bore - National Geographic Education
Oct 19, 2023 · Tidal Bore at Sunset · aegir (Trent River, England) · benak (Batang River, Malaysia) · mascaret (Seine River, France) · pororoca (Amazon River, ...
[5]
[PDF] Understanding Tides
The tide is fundamentally caused by gravitational interactions between the sun, moon, and earth. These interactions of the gravitational forces are the same as ...
[6]
11.1 Tidal Forces – Introduction to Oceanography
Tidal forces result from the gravitational pull between Earth and moon, creating water bulges, and the interaction of this with the Earth's rotation, creating ...
[7]
[PDF] Hydrostatic shapes
(3 cos2 θ − 1)). The gravitational field of the Moon is found from the gradient of the potential.Missing: cos² | Show results with:cos²
[8]
Types and Causes of Tidal Cycles - Tides and Water Levels
The U.S. West Coast tends to have mixed semidiurnal tides, whereas a semidiurnal pattern is more typical of the East Coast (Sumich, J.L., 1996; Thurman, H.V., ...Missing: distribution | Show results with:distribution
[9]
Tides | EARTH 107: Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society
Tides map. Semidiurnal, mixed are common. Diurnal: west Alaska, Gulf of. Global map showing the distribution of semidiurnal, diurnal, and mixed tides. Credit: ...
[10]
Tidal cycles - SERC (Carleton)
Educational webpage detailing tidal cycles—semi-diurnal, diurnal, and mixed—within coastal processes, featuring diagrams, global distribution maps, ...
[11]
[PDF] Tide distribution and tapping into tidal energy
Bristol Channel, coast of England. The maximum tidal range in the Severn River estuary reaches 14.5 m.
[12]
[PDF] on the tidal dynamics of the north sea - Essay - UT Student Theses
The most dominant tidal constituent in the North Sea is the M2-tide. Figure 2 shows the elevation amphidromic system* of the M2-tide in the North Sea.
[13]
TPXO Global Tidal Solutions - OSU TPXO Tide Models
TPXO are global models of ocean barotropic tides, including data for eight primary tides, and are available for academic research and non-commercial uses.TPXO products and registration · TPXO10 · TPXO10-atlas
[14]
The importance of tides for sediment dynamics in the deep sea ...
This study provides further indirect evidence for the potential impact open-ocean tides may have on the erosion and resuspension of deep-sea sediments. Together ...
[15]
Tides Boost Primary Production in the Indian Ocean - AGU Journals
Sep 10, 2025 · We find that tides increase regional primary production by 5% on average, with seasonal increases reaching up to 10%–15% in open ocean regions ...
[16]
Changing Shorelines & Erosion - Woods Hole Oceanographic ...
Shorelines change due to waves, currents, wind, tides, storms, coastal development, and sea level rise, causing erosion and accretion.
[17]
Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array - Tethys
Jan 19, 2021 · At its narrowest point, where it is just 1.4km wide, current speeds exceed 5 knots, but the site is generally well protected from wave action.
[18]
Tidal power - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
May 24, 2024 · The largest is the Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station in South Korea, at 254 megawatts of electricity-generation capacity. The oldest and second ...
[19]
[PDF] Catalog of Worldwide Tidal Bore Occurrences and Characteristics
Formation of a bore is dependent on depth and velocity of the incoming tide and river outflow. Bores may occur in series (in several channels) or in succession.
[20]
[PDF] MODERN THEORY AND PRACTICE OF TIDE ANALYSIS AND ...
Sep 4, 2025 · The tidal potential in eqs. II.1 and II.2 is related to the equilibrium tides discussed in Ch.I. It is given by the equilibrium surface ...Missing: cos² | Show results with:cos²
[21]
World's largest tidal bore attracts 70,000 - China.org.cn
Sep 16, 2011 · The Qiantang River tidal bore is the world's largest in terms of height and speed. Every year, massive waves crash along the banks of the river ...
[22]
Tidal bores, Mascaret, Pororoca. Myths, Fables and Reality
The freshwater flow was negligible and the advancing bore height was about 0.3 to 0.6 m, although the bore constantly evolved in shape in response of changes in ...Basic Theory · Impact On Mixing And... · Related Links
[23]
[PDF] iweh09_paper.pdf - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland
Oct 30, 2009 · The tidal bore has a significant impact on the environmental system and the ecology of the river mouth. Recent studies demonstrated in ...
[24]
Current knowledge in tidal bores and their environmental, ecological ...
Dec 11, 2009 · A tidal bore is associated with a massive mixing of the estuarine waters that stirs the organic matter and creates some rich fishing grounds.
[25]
[PDF] ALASKA BORE TALES - National Weather Service
*In Turnagain Arm, bores range in size from 1/2 foot to 6 feet high and travel at speeds between. 10 and 15 mph. Knik Arm bore size and speed are on the low end ...Missing: ecological impact
[26]
Tidal bore of the Seine river : mascaret - School of Civil Engineering
Following some river training around 1845-1850, the tidal bore disappeared until the end of 1858 when it re-appeared as strong as before. In the 1960s, the ...
[27]
Seasonal M 2 Internal Tides in the Arabian Sea - MDPI
The thresholds were selected based on the wavelengths of the mode-1 M 2 internal tides in the Arabian Sea as 50 km and 200 km. The wavelengths were computed by ...
[28]
[PDF] Lecture 6: Internal tides
Internal tides are internal waves forced by the interaction of the barotropic tides with the bottom topography of the oceans. To understand how internal tides ...
[29]
Internal wave generation in a global baroclinic tide model
One Terawatt of energy loss from the barotropic tide has been attributed to internal tide generation, the subject of this paper.
[30]
River plumes as a source of large-amplitude internal waves in the ...
Internal waves are typically the most energetic high-frequency events in the coastal ocean, displacing water parcels by up to 100m and generating strong ...
[31]
Internal Tides Drive Nutrient Fluxes Into the Deep Chlorophyll ...
Aug 1, 2019 · This enhanced mixing from the tides crucially acts over a depth range where there are available nutrients and so sustaining phytoplankton growth ...
[32]
[PDF] Does extreme internal-wave breaking matter for ocean mixing?
Some internal waves are extremely powerful. - large-amplitude internal solitons pose a substantial risk to offshore oil platforms [Cai et al., 2003]. However ...Missing: hazards rigs
[33]
Observing Internal Tides in High-Risk Regions Using Co-located ...
Sep 2, 2017 · Observing internal tides in high-risk regions using co-located ocean gliders and moored ADCPs. Oceanography 30(2):51–52, https://doi.org/10.5670 ...
[34]
Numerical Modeling of Internal Tide Generation along the Hawaiian ...
The internal tide for a certain beam is seen to propagate well over 1000 km. with an approximate decay scale of 1000 km. An asymmetric pattern in the baroclinic ...
[35]
The science behind tsunamis - NOAA
Dec 6, 2024 · A tsunami is a series of waves generated by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean. Large earthquakes below or near the ocean floor are the most common ...
[36]
Tsunami Characteristics
A tsunami can have a period in the range of ten minutes to two hours and a wavelength in excess of 300 miles (500 km).
[37]
Tsunami Dynamics - CAT-INGV
In addition, tsunami waves are much faster than any wave produced by the wind: in open sea they can, in fact, reach even 700-800 km/hour.Missing: ocean | Show results with:ocean
[38]
Tsunami Generation: Earthquakes - NOAA
Sep 27, 2023 · These tsunami-generating earthquakes originate mainly in subduction zones, where tectonic plates collide and one is forced under the other.
[39]
Introduction to Subduction Zones: Amazing Events in ... - USGS.gov
Sep 7, 2020 · When the surface of the seafloor moves vertically, a tsunami is born. This can happen either when earthquake faults move vertically just below ...Missing: generation mechanisms
[40]
A Review of Tsunamis Generated by Volcanoes (TGV) Source ...
Jun 14, 2024 · 1 Introduction. Six percent of all tsunamis over the last four centuries have been generated by volcanoes (NCEI database, US NOAA, 2023). Most ...
[41]
Frequently Asked Questions - U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers
A tsunami is one the most powerful and destructive natural forces. It can produce unusually strong currents, rapidly flood land, and devastate coastal ...
[42]
https://nctr.pmel.noaa.gov/Dart/
[43]
Tōhoku-oki Earthquake and Tsunami, March 11, 2011
Tsunami waves reached heights of almost 40 meters (130 feet) along the coast of Japan, causing more than 18,000 fatalities. The interactive map below shows two ...
[44]
DART (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis)
DART® real-time tsunami monitoring systems, developed by PMEL, are positioned at strategic locations throughout the ocean and play a critical role in tsunami ...Mooring System · About DART® tsunami... · DART buoy Publications · Background
[45]
[PDF] Lesson 9: Waves - the NOAA Institutional Repository
Speed of the tsunami (meters/second) is equal to the square root of g (the acceleration due to gravity, which a constant 9.81 meters/second) times the water ...Missing: gh) | Show results with:gh)
[46]
Tsunami facts and Information | National Geographic
Oct 3, 2018 · Most tsunamis—about 80 percent—happen within the Pacific Ocean's “Ring of Fire,” a geologically active area where tectonic shifts make volcanoes ...
[47]
Tsunami | Occurrence and history of the most destructive seaquakes
Scientists agree that about ten major tsunamis occur every century. Basing on historical data, about 76% of the world's major tsunamis have occurred in the ...Missing: statistics origin per
[48]
(PDF) Tsunami: A history of the term and of scientific understanding ...
Aug 6, 2025 · We use Japanese and Western sources to document historical tsunami in Europe and Japan ... tidal wave' is still very much alive in popular. usage ...
[49]
Tsunami (Tidal Wave) Disasters
Sep 14, 2017 · The term "tidal wave" was often erroneously used to describe the same phenomenon, particularly because of the sudden tide-like retreat of water ...
[50]
What is the difference between a tsunami and a tidal wave?
A tsunami is an ocean wave triggered by large earthquakes that occur near or under the ocean, volcanic eruptions, submarine landslides, or by onshore ...
[51]
Haeundae | Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 48% (186) Haeundae is an action movie about an underwater earthquake causing a tsunami in a South Korean resort town. It has a 48% Tomatometer score.
[52]
Haeundae (2009) - Korean Film Council
Haeundae is set in Busan, a popular beach area. It follows Man-sik, who lost a co-worker to a tsunami and is preparing to propose. It is an action, drama, ...
[53]
Haeundae - Far East Film Festival
With a final tally of 11.4 million admissions, it currently ranks as the fifth best grossing film in Korean box office history, behind Avatar (13.3m), The Host ...
[54]
Haeundae - Variety
but the characters triumph over the CGI — in “Haeundae,” the first full-on ...
[55]
Deluge (1933) - IMDb
Rating 6.4/10 (847) A massive earthquake strikes the United States, which destroys the West Coast and unleashes a massive flood that threatens to destroy the East Coast as well.
[56]
Deluge. 1933. Directed by Felix E. Feist - MoMA
Deluge (1933), directed by Felix E. Feist, is a 70-minute film about earthquakes causing a tidal wave that wipes out New York City. It was long thought lost.
[57]
Submersion of Japan (1973) - IMDb
Rating 5.5/10 (575) Submersion of Japan (1973) is a disaster, action, drama, sci-fi, thriller where Japan slowly sinks into the sea as the US and Japan work to stop it.
[58]
Submersion of Japan (1973) | Wikizilla, the kaiju encyclopedia
Sep 8, 2025 · Submersion of Japan (日本沈没, Nippon Chinbotsu, lit. "Japan Sinks") is a 1973 tokusatsu science fiction disaster film directed by Shiro ...
[59]
Tidal Wave: No Escape (TV Movie 1997) - IMDb
Rating 4/10 (692) A nobel prize winner is brought out of retirement to investigate brutal tidal waves that destroy coastal communities, and a ransom is demanded.Missing: surge | Show results with:surge
[60]
Tsunamis in Popular Media: Aquaman Did you see the ... - Facebook
Feb 1, 2019 · While the wave in the movie may have been intended to represent a tsunami it is inaccurate in appearance. Tsunamis do not appear as super-sized ...
[61]
The Impossible (2012 film) - Wikipedia
It is based on the experience of María Belón and her family in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It features an international cast including Naomi Watts, Ewan ...
[62]
The Impossible (2012) - IMDb
Rating 7.5/10 (259,496) The story of a tourist family in Thailand caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.Full cast & crew · Parents guide · Plot · The Impossible
[63]
The Impossible Real Family Now - True Story of María Belón Family
Nov 12, 2020 · The movie is based on the true story of a Spanish family vacationing in Thailand when the tsunami struck, who miraculously reunited after being ...
[64]
From Media Amplification to Western Participation in Asian Tsunamis
Oct 28, 2015 · This paper therefore analyses the level of Western involvement in two Asian tsunami recovery plans and the role of the media in attracting ...
[65]
Tidal Wave | Water Soaking Thrill Ride | Thorpe Park Resort
Tidal Wave is a super-soaking 'Shoot the Chute' ride where you plummet 85ft into water, creating a huge wave. It is a giant flume ride.Accessibility Information · Evacuation · Gallery
[66]
Tidal Wave (Thorpe Park) - Coasterpedia - The Amusement Ride Wiki
Jul 23, 2025 · Tidal Wave is a Shoot The Chute at Thorpe Park, 25.9 meters tall, with three boats each seating 20 riders. It opened on April 7, 2000.
[67]
Thorpe Park historical attendance data - Queue Times
Year, Attendance. 2023, 1,620,000. 2022, 1,600,000. 2021, 1,700,000. 2020, 600,000. 2019, 1,490,000. 2018, 1,590,000. 2017, 1,540,000. 2016, 1,620,000.
[68]
Tidal Wave (Six Flags St. Louis) - The Amusement Ride Wiki
Jul 29, 2025 · In 2018, Tidal Wave operated for the last time. The ride was closed for the entire 2019 season. It was demolished in late 2019.
[69]
Shoot the Chute - Water Ride With the Biggest Splash,
The Shoot the Chute ride offers a heart-pumping drop and a spectacular, big splash that draws onlookers and makes riders want to ride again.Missing: mechanics hydraulic launches wave
[70]
Annual Ride Safety Reports | IAAPA.org
Annual ride safety reports provide critical insights into incident rates, helping parks continuously improve guest experiences and minimize risks.
[71]
Global incidence of theme park and amusement ride accidents
Over the year, 182 accident events were reported, from 38 countries, of which 51 events involved a fatality. Mechanical rides and roller coasters were involved ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[72]
The Tidal Wave - The South African Rock Encyclopedia
Apr 12, 2007 · In August 1970, an album titled simply 'Tidal Wave' was released and included 'Spider Spider', 'Green Mamba' and their next big hit 'Mango Mango ...
[73]
Tidal Wave - Retro Fresh
In August 1970, an album titled simply 'Tidal Wave' was released and included 'Spider Spider', 'Green Mamba' and their next big hit 'Mango Mango'. This song ...
[74]
https://www.theyoungfolks.com/music/87291/album-review-taking-back-sunday-tidal-wave/
[75]
Tidal Wave by The Nolans (Album): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song ...
Tidal Wave, an Album by The Nolans. Released 21 September 1991. Genres: Pop.
[76]
Taking Back Sunday - Tidal Wave (album review ) | Sputnikmusic
May 29, 2017 · Tidal Wave is nothing short of Taking Back Sunday's most diverse album to date. For the first time, they aren't afraid to embrace their ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[77]
Album Review: Taking Back Sunday “Tidal Wave” | The Young Folks
Sep 24, 2016 · Returning with their seventh album, New Jersey's Taking Back Sunday adopt a very different style from their previous endeavors on Tidal Wave ...Missing: list | Show results with:list
[78]
The Lord Knows | Tidal Wave - Ripple Music - Bandcamp
The Lord Knows by Tidal Wave, released 20 January 2023 1. Lizard King 2. End of the Line 3. Marijuana Trench 4. Pentagram 5. Robbero Bobbero 6.
[79]
ALBUM REVIEW: Tidal Wave - The Lord Knows - Ghost Cult Magazine
Jan 17, 2023 · Tidal Wave themselves, have been crafting powerful, raucous fuzz anthems since 2019 with a debut titled Blueberry Muffin, influenced by several ...Missing: list | Show results with:list
[80]
All Time Low – Tidal Waves Lyrics - Genius
Tidal Waves Lyrics: Falling on my face again / So I know I'm right on track / It's hard for me to make amends / When you stab me in the back / Sailing on to ...
[81]
‎Tidal Wave - Song by Dick Dale & His Del-Tones - Apple Music
Listen to Tidal Wave by Dick Dale & His Del-Tones on Apple Music. 1964. Duration: 2:02.
[82]
Tidal Waves (feat. Mark Hoppus) - song and lyrics by All Time Low
Lyrics. Falling on my face again. So I know I'm right on track. It's hard for me to make amends. When you stab me in the back.
[83]
almost monday - tidal wave (official video) - YouTube
Jun 27, 2024 · debut album: DIVE out now almost monday – tidal wave instagram & tiktok: @almostmonday X: / almostmondayy official website: ...Missing: list | Show results with:list
[84]
almost monday tidal wave out tomorrow - Hashtag Magazine
Jun 27, 2024 · San Diego's almost monday is riding the wave of California summer vibes with their third single, “tidal wave,” set to drop on Friday, June 28th.
[85]
Over the Cauldron of Ploesti: The American Air War in Romania
Aug 12, 2019 · Under the code-name Operation TIDAL WAVE, the mission combined five bomb groups from the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. Conceived by Colonel Jacob ...
[86]
What Went Wrong in WWII's Operation Tidal Wave? - HistoryNet
Aug 3, 2020 · A veteran of the B-24 raid on Ploesti tells the real story behind the costly mission.
[87]
Tidal Wave | Air & Space Forces Magazine
Dec 1, 2007 · Five Medals of Honor were awarded from the mission that day, more than in any other single air action. There was a profusion of other medals as ...
[88]
Operation Tidal Wave: U.S. forces attempt risky air raid on Axis oil ...
Jul 28, 2020 · Although the Allies estimated that the raid had reduced Ploiești's capacity by 40 percent, the damage was quickly repaired and within months ...
[89]
Ploesti Raid: A Tragic Tidal Wave - Warfare History Network
The Ploesti raid, codenamed "Tidal Wave," was a disastrous low-level attack on Nazi oil refineries in Romania, becoming a catastrophe due to poor planning and ...
[90]
[PDF] Awards Received by Enlisted Personnel During Ploesti Raid
The awards received by the enlisted personnel for Operation. "TIDAL WAVE" consisted of the Distinguished Flying Cross,. Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star ...
[91]
Operation Tidal Wave: heroic but ineffective - Maxwell Air Force Base
Sep 6, 2018 · By September 1944, the Oil Plan had reduced by 90 percent Germany's production of petroleum products, with dire consequences for Germany's ...
[92]
Tidal Wave Swimming - About
Team History: The Kennesaw Tidal Wave swim team was founded in the fall of 1998 at Kennesaw State University with 60 swimmers. The KSU Aquatics Director ...Missing: amateur 1990s
[93]
Tidal Wave | Geometry Dash Fan Wiki - Fandom
Tidal Wave is the 11th most liked and 11th most downloaded Extreme Demon in the game. Tidal Wave, if rated and placed on the Demonlist on the day of its ...History · Gameplay · First 10 victors · Trivia
[94]
TIDAL WAVE VERIFIED // HARDEST LEVEL // ONILINK - YouTube
Sep 10, 2023 · ... #zoink. TIDAL WAVE VERIFIED // HARDEST LEVEL // ONILINK. 7.5M views · 2 years ago #zoink #geometrydash #extremedemon ...more. Zoink. 516K.Missing: 2023 | Show results with:2023
[95]
Tsuro Veterans of the Seas Additional Tile Set - Calliope Games
Tsunami (tidal wave): A hazard that gets stronger with each round of game play and threatens all the players and daikaiju in entire row! Uzushio (whirlpool): ...