While earlier theories like Equilibrium Theory and Progressive Wave Theory attempted to explain tides as large-scale, global phenomena, RA Harris (US Coast Survey) introduced the Stationary Wave Theory, emphasizing that tides are more localized rather than moving in uniform, global waves. The Stationary Wave Experiment To understand stationary waves, imagine a rectangular tank filled with…
Suppose you are standing on a beach, watching the waves roll in. Some waves crash directly, while others bounce off obstacles before reaching the shore. Now, scale this up to an oceanic level—that’s how tides behave, according to William Whewell’s Progressive Wave Theory (1883). Unlike Newton’s Equilibrium Theory, which assumes an ideal, water-covered Earth, Whewell…
Imagine the Earth, Moon, and Sun as three dancers performing a well-rehearsed ballet. Each exerts a pull on the others, maintaining a delicate balance of forces. This is the essence of Newton’s Equilibrium Theory of Tides, proposed in 1687 in his Principia, where he laid down the universal law of gravitation. The Role of Gravitational…
As studied in the previous sections we now know that tides are nothing but the periodic rise and fall of ocean waters caused primarily by the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun, combined with the Earth’s rotation. Over time, various theories have been proposed to explain tidal behavior. The major theories—Newton’s Equilibrium Theory,…
D.M. Davis revisited Darwin’s Subsidence Theory and attempted to strengthen it with additional physiographic evidence. His theory reinforces the idea that coral reefs grow along subsiding land, but he also focuses on sediment deposition as a key factor in shaping reef features. Key Arguments of Davis’s Theory Comparison with Other Theories Theory Main Idea Darwin’s…
Let’s take a journey back to the Pleistocene Ice Age, a time when massive glaciers covered large parts of the Earth, and sea levels dropped drastically. Reginald Daly (1910) introduced the Global Control Theory, suggesting that coral reefs were formed due to the dramatic changes in sea level caused by glaciations. The Core Idea: Ice…
Imagine an underwater construction site where corals are the architects, and the ocean floor is their building foundation. Unlike Darwin, who believed reefs evolved due to land sinking (subsidence), John Murray (1880) proposed a completely different idea—the Standstill Theory, which argues that reefs grow only on stable submarine platforms with an unchanging sea level. The…
Let’s imagine ourselves on a voyage with Charles Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle in the early 19th century 😊. As we sail across the warm waters of the Pacific, we come across various coral formations—some hugging the coastline, others forming large offshore walls, and some appearing as perfect circular rings in the middle of the…
Coral reefs and atolls are some of the most fascinating marine structures, playing a crucial role in marine biodiversity and coastal protection. Scientists have long debated their formation, leading to several theories explaining their origin. The key theories include: Each of these theories offers a unique perspective on reef formation, considering factors such as subsidence,…
Imagine standing at a coastal border post, watching fishermen sail out to sea. At what point does the ocean stop belonging to one nation and become free for all? Who decides how far a country can claim rights over marine resources? The Laws of the Sea attempt to answer these very questions. Just as land…
