NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—A phenomenon known as “king tides” arrived along the shores of Southern California as predicted recently with an awe-inspiring display of force when high and providing a unique glimpse at what lives below the water when low. King tides, also known as perigean spring tides, is a colloquial term that originated in Australia and other Pacific nations in reference to rare high tides that occur only a couple times each year. According to National Weather Service meteorologist, Alex Tardy, king tides are the result of intense gravitational pulls that occurs when the Earth, sun, and moon are in perfect alignment—resulting in tides that can swing as much as 7 feet higher than normal. “The moon and earth and our oceans have to be in exact alignment in order to get that much pull,” Tardy said. “That’s a whole lot of water being pulled across the Pacific Ocean and up …