488 



Tides of the Oceans 



In the equatorial distribution the variations of phase give supporting evi- 

 dence for recent co-tidal charts of the ocean. In addition, however, an estimate 

 for the amplitude of the constituent is given for any point on the equator. 

 The tidal chart for the region studied by Fairbairn is given in Fig. 203a. 



Fig. 203o. Co-tidal and co-range lines for constituent K 2 . The numbers on the full lines 

 give the time of high water in hours which are one-twelfth of the period, the time origin 

 being on the standard meridian where A = 32° (x — being at 43°E., where the equator 

 strikes the coast of Africa). The numbers on the broken lines give the amplitude H in cm. 



(c) Pacific Ocean (Table 82J 



Condition in this vast ocean are more complicated than in the Atlantic 

 and Indian Ocean. The expanse of the Pacific Ocean and the unsatisfactory 

 distribution of the observations are cause for uncertainties. Harmonic con- 

 stants in sufficient number are available for the north-western and northern 

 regions. In the other areas, except the western part of the South Sea, har- 

 monic constants are scarce. One can, therefore quite well understand that 

 Dietrich looks at his distribution of the phases in the central and southern 

 part of the Pacific as an attempt and he does not consider it definite. 



In the western region there is a pseudo-nodal line extending from Japan 

 to New Guinea. The line is quite narrow, amplitudes are at a minimum. 

 The transition of the phase is about 180° between the territory west of this 

 line, Western Carolina Islands Palau (Moluccas, Phillipines, Formosa, Rui- 

 Kju and Japan) and east of this line (east coast of New Guinea to Southern 

 Kamchatka). Ogura (1933) already assumed such a line at this place. 



Another phenomena well established is that the phase completes a full 

 360° circle with a rotation to the left around New Zealand. It could be taken 

 for an amphidromy, but the sense of rotation is unusual for the southern 



