A Reappraisal of the Tides in Spencer Gulf, South Australia

Abstract

The tides in Spencer Gulf are remarkable in two major aspects. One is the large amplitude of the S₂ constituent and the other is the change in tidal character over the length of the gulf. This anomalous behaviour of the tides has led to much confusion and, even in recent papers, the mechanism has been misunderstood. Here the basic nature of the tidal system is described and the importance of tides in the circulation and flushing of the gulf is stressed.