What describes the vertical rise and fall of water levels?

The vertical rise and fall of water levels is specifically referred to as "tide." Tides are caused by the gravitational influences exerted by the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans, leading to cyclical patterns of water level changes. These patterns typically manifest as regular and predictable fluctuations that occur over approximately a 24-hour period, which can vary based on location, topography, and other environmental factors.

Understanding tides is crucial for navigation, as they affect the depth of water in coastal areas, which can impact safe passage for vessels. In contrast, currents refer to the horizontal movement of water in the ocean, sinkage pertains to the lowering of a vessel in water due to weight or buoyancy effects, and squat relates to the phenomenon where a vessel sinks deeper in the water as it moves through the water due to hydrodynamic forces, but none of these terms address vertical water level changes like tides do.