Bay of Fundy Facts
Bay of Fundy Facts
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Interesting Bay of Fundy Facts: |
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The difference between high and low tides in the Bay of Fundy can reach 53.5 feet at some times during the year. This is taller than a building reaching three stories. |
Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on the earth which affects their periodic rise and fall. |
The reasons for the very high tides in the Bay of Fundy include the shape of the bay and resonance. |
The rocking motion of the Bay of Fundy takes 13 hours to rock the water from the head of the bay to the mouth of the bay and back. This is referred to as seiche. The rise of the ocean tide every 12 hours and 25 minutes helps to reinforce the rocking motion of the water in the Bay of Fundy. |
The spring tides are the highest in the Bay of Fundy but they are not named for their season. The spring tides occur twice a month when the moon and sun align. |
Once every 206 days when the moon is at its closest to the earth, the extreme high tide occurs. |
Erosion along the Bay of Fundy has resulted in the beautiful coastline of sandstone statues, caves and rocky cliffs, as well as sandy beaches. |
The Old Sow Whirlpool in the Bay of Fundy is 75 meters wide and is considered to the Western Hemisphere's largest whirlpool. The swirling effect of the whirlpool is believed to have a positive effect on the environment. |
There are several islands in the Bay of Fundy including Grand Manan Island, which is the largest and located in the Bay of Fundy's south western entrance. |
There are several park preserves along the Bay of Fundy's shores including Fundy National Park, Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, Blomidon Provincial Park, and Five Islands Provincial Park. |
The ecosystem of the Bay of Fundy is thought to be comparable to that of the Amazon's rainforest ecosystem in diversity. |
The Bay of Fundy is home to as many as 12 whale species, plus seabirds, seals, fish, dolphins, and porpoises. |
Whale watching is a popular activity for tourists to the Bay of Fundy region. |
The Bay of Fundy is considered to be one of North America's 7 Wonders. |
The Bay of Fundy is fed into by many rivers from both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. |
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