What term describes the period of no current that occurs at high and low tides?

The term that describes the period of no current that occurs at both high and low tides is "Slack Water." During slack water, the water movement is negligible, indicating a brief pause in the flow of water before it begins to move again with the next change in tide. This phenomenon occurs as the tide transitions from rising to falling or vice versa, allowing for a moment when the currents generated by the tide are minimal or absent.

In contrast, flood current refers to the movement of water toward the shore as the tide rises, while ebb current is the movement of water away from the shore as the tide falls. These currents are significant as they influence marine navigation, sediment transport, and the behavior of marine organisms. Tides, on the other hand, refer to the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational influence of the moon and sun, but they do not specifically address the moment of no current.

Thus, Slack Water accurately describes that specific period of calmness in the water flow associated with the transition between rising and falling tides.