ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Tide gauge

A tide gauge is a tool that helps us measure the level of the water in the ocean or other bodies of water. Just like when you fill up a bathtub or a swimming pool, water has a level or height that it reaches. The tide gauge helps us figure out how high or low the water level is at different times.

The tide gauge is often a tall pole or stick that is put into the water and attached to something solid, like a pier or the ocean floor. Along the pole, there are little marks or numbers that show how high the water level is at different times. Scientists can use these measurements to figure out things like when high and low tides happen and how they change over time.

We need to know about the tides and their changes because they can affect things like boats, shipping, beaches, and the types of animals that live in the ocean. By using a tide gauge, we can keep track of the water level and understand more about the ocean and how it works.
Related topics others have asked about: