Which of the following best describes spring tides?

Spring tides are characterized by high tides that occur when the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned in a straight line. This alignment happens during both the new moon and full moon phases, amplifying the gravitational pull that the moon and the sun exert on the Earth's oceans. As a result, the water level rises significantly, leading to exceptionally high high tides and very low low tides.

The concept of spring tides is essential in understanding the relationship between the gravitational forces of celestial bodies and their effects on oceanic tides. When the moon is in line with the sun and Earth, it leads to these pronounced tidal changes, which is the defining feature of spring tides. Thus, this description accurately encapsulates what spring tides are, focusing on their occurrence due to the positioning of these three celestial bodies.