Anna Burton, age 12, of Rutland, Vt., for her question:

HOW LARGE 1S THE BAY OF FUNDY?

The Bay of Fundy is a large tidal inlet of the North Atlantic Ocean. It separates the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in southeastern Canada and borders on southeast Maine. It is about 171 miles long and up to 50 miles wide.

In the east, Fundy divides into two arms, Chignecto Bay on the north and Minas Channel on the south (which leads into Minas Basin). The funnel effect of these narrowing arms increases the tidal range of the bay, and at times the water in the arms rises by as much as 60 feet, creating one of the world's higher tides.

The tidal surge in Chignecto Bay produces a large crested wave, or bore, ranging from about six feet in height, in the lower Petticodiac River. The rising tide in Fundy proper creates a "reversing falls" on the lower Saint John River at Saint John, N.B.

Although Fundy is very deep, navigation is difficult because of the rapid rise and fall of the tide. Major deepwater harbors are located at St. John, Digby and Hantsport, N.S. Fundy National park borders the bay in New Brunswick.