What type of information is conveyed by a tide gauge?

A tide gauge is an instrument specifically designed to measure the rise and fall of sea levels over time. This data is primarily used to produce accurate tidal information, which is essential for various applications, including navigation, marine activities, and coastal management. Tide gauges can provide continuous measurements and allow for the analysis of tidal patterns, which can reveal both short-term fluctuations and long-term trends in sea level changes.

In contrast, other options present information outside the scope of what a tide gauge provides. Weather patterns involve atmospheric conditions and do not relate to the specific measurements of sea level and tides. Marine biological data focuses on the study of marine organisms and their ecosystems, which is unrelated to the measurement of tides. Lastly, soil moisture levels are concerned with the water content in soil and do not connect with the marine environment or tidal measurements. Therefore, the most relevant choice related to the function of a tide gauge is the accurate tidal information it provides.