What is a spring tide?

A spring tide occurs when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned. This alignment takes place during the new moon and full moon phases. When the gravitational forces of both the moon and the sun combine, they exert a greater pull on the Earth's oceans, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides, leading to a more significant difference between the tide levels. This phenomenon is characterized by its enhanced tidal ranges compared to other times of the month.

The other options do not accurately describe a spring tide. When the moon is in its third quarter, the gravitational effects are less pronounced due to a right angle formed with the Earth and the sun, leading to smaller tidal ranges, known as neap tides. The mention of tides being least noticeable directly correlates to neap tides rather than spring tides. Lastly, the moon being at its highest point doesn't necessarily indicate a spring tide; tides depend on the moon's position relative to both Earth and the sun, rather than its altitude in the sky alone.