Bay of Fundy tides. Because of the proportions of the Bay of Fundy, differences in tidal range are governed by near resonance with Atlantic tides. Although Fundy tide curves are sinusoidal, tide prediction requires consideration of marked diurnal inequalities. Overlapping of the cycles of spring and perigean tides every 206 days results in an annual pro gression of 1.5 months in the periods of extra high tides.
Strong tides can occur at all seasons, depending on the year.
Considerable variation results throughout the year, with six distinct cycles recognized. Tides play a major role in erosion and in complex interactions among Fundy physical, sedimentological, biological, and chemical processes. Recent observations on mud flat grain size alterations, over deepening areas of the sea bed, and benthic community changes, indicate changing environmental conditions in the Bay, possibly caused by increased hydrodynamic energy in the system.