Here's why:
* Moon's Influence: The moon's gravity exerts a pull on the Earth's oceans, creating bulges of water on the side of the Earth facing the moon and the opposite side.
* Sun's Influence: The sun also has a gravitational pull, although it's weaker than the moon's because it's much farther away. During a full moon, the sun, Earth, and moon are roughly aligned, which amplifies the combined gravitational pull.
This combined pull results in higher high tides (called spring tides) and lower low tides than usual. The opposite effect occurs during a new moon when the sun, Earth, and moon are also aligned.
So, the next time you see a full moon, remember it's not just a beautiful sight but also a sign of strong tides!