What characterizes spring tides?

Spring tides are characterized by higher high tides that occur when the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned. This alignment typically happens during the new moon and full moon phases. When the gravitational forces of both the sun and the moon combine, they create a stronger pull on the Earth's oceans, resulting in tides that are significantly higher than average.

This phenomenon increases the tidal range, meaning the difference between high tide and low tide becomes more pronounced. Higher high tides during spring tides can lead to flooding in coastal areas and are typically more extreme than the standard tides seen throughout the lunar cycle.