Seasons and sky
Amphidromic Point
Direct answer
Amphidromic Point: An Amphidromic Point is a location of near-zero amplitude for a tidal constituent around which that constituent phase rotates.
An Amphidromic Point is a nodal center of a rotating tidal system.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Seasons & Earth Almanac
- Related
- Mixed Tide, Perigean Spring Tide, Astronomical Season, Equinox
An Amphidromic Point is a nodal center of a rotating tidal system.
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The story behind Amphidromic Point
Global tide gauges and hydrodynamic theory revealed rotating amphidromic systems organized by basin boundaries and the Coriolis effect.
Why Amphidromic Point matters
Amphidromic Point explains why tide time and range change around ocean basins rather than simply following the Moon westward.
Amphidromic Point in practice: an example
Cotidal phase lines radiate around an amphidromic center while amplitude grows away from it.
Where readings of Amphidromic Point go wrong
The usual misreading is to interpret a theoretical zero as proof that every observed water-level variation vanishes there.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- NOAA Tides and Currents Glossary - Operational definitions for tides, tidal currents, ranges, datums, bores, and amphidromic systems.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Seasons & Earth Almanac
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
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Common questions
What is an Amphidromic Point?
An Amphidromic Point is a location of near-zero amplitude for a tidal constituent around which that constituent phase rotates.
What do people get wrong about an Amphidromic Point?
The usual misreading is to interpret a theoretical zero as proof that every observed water-level variation vanishes there.
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