HIGHEST TIDES IN THE WORLD
The Great Tides of the Bay of Fundy 
While the gravitational forces of the sun and moon combine to
create a continuum of tidal action the world over, two unique
characteristics of this finger of the Gulf combine to help create the
highest tides on the planet.
Geography
The Bay of Fundy is 290-kilometers (180 miles) in length. The mouth
of the Bay is 62 mi (100 km) wide and 400-700 ft (120-215 m) deep.
Frequently described as funnel-shaped, the bay gradually narrows and
shallows until it splits to form Chignecto Bay and the Minas Basin.
Chignecto Bay splits into Shepody Bay and Cumberland Basin, then
Shepody Bay narrows and splits once more into the Memramcook and
Petitcodiac Rivers.
The Hopewell Rocks is found near this junction of rivers. The
distance across the Bay at this point is about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) and
tidal range about 14 meters (45 feet).
The gradual tapering and shallowing of this body of water
constricts the tidal flow into the bay, causing the water to rise from
the average high tide range of 3 ft (1 m), found elsewhere in the world, to
the 52 ft (16 m) tidal range found at the head of the bay.
Resonance
The second factor concerns the dimensions of this incredible body
of water. Every basin of water has its own natural rhythm of water
movement. The time it takes for the tide to flood the full
length of Bay of Fundy - 180 miles or 290 km - is equal to
the time it takes for the tide to come in from the adjoining Gulf of
Maine.
This resonance effect - the meshing of these two rhythms -
amplifies the tidal range, creating higher tides. Called the "Seiche
Effect", this amplification is frequently compared to the wave
action produced by sloshing water back and forth in a bathtub, each
wave higher than the one previous. It is this comparison which led to
the Bay of Fundy being called 'the world's largest bathtub'.
Additional Information:
http://www.bayoffundytourism.com/ecozones/highest_tides.php
http://www.bayoffundy.com/highesttides.aspx
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