A proxigean spring tide refers to an exceptionally high or low tide that occurs during the new or full moon when the moon is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit. This term combines two concepts: "proxigean" and "spring tide".
Proxigean, in the context of tides, refers to the point in the moon's orbit when it is nearest to Earth. This happens when the moon is in its perigee, which is the closest point to our planet. Due to the moon's gravitational pull, the proximity of the moon during its perigee intensifies the gravitational forces it exerts on Earth, resulting in stronger tidal effects.
Spring tide, on the other hand, denotes the highest and lowest tides that occur each month during the new and full moon phases when the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun align. The combined gravitational pull from both celestial bodies causes more extreme variations between high and low tides.
When these two phenomena coincide, they give rise to a proxigean spring tide. This rare occurrence leads to tides that are higher than usual during high tide and lower than usual during low tide. Proxigean spring tides can have significant impacts on coastal areas, especially those with low-lying topography or vulnerable infrastructure. They can cause flooding, erosion, and other coastal hazards.
In summary, a proxigean spring tide represents an abnormally strong tidal event resulting from the moon's close proximity to Earth during its perigee, combined with the gravitational alignment with the sun during the new or full moon phases.
