Tens of thousands of people are visiting the Atlantic coastline in France, including Mont Saint-Michel, for the 'supertide'
Tidal specialist Nicolas Pouvreau told French media that the surge was a few inches short of expectations
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French officials said the supertide
would be a major opportunity for tourism in Brittany, including the
walled port city of Saint-Malo
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Large waves crash over the crowded waterfront - leaving spectators soaking wet - during the incoming tide in Saint-Malo, France
But tidal specialist Nicolas Pouvreau told France 24 the surge was a few inches short of expectations.
Mont
Saint-Michel was briefly turned into an island at high tide, but low
tide provided an opportunity for people to walk on the expansive flat
seabed.
Although
it is dubbed the ‘tide of the century’, the ‘supertide’ phenomenon
occurs once every 18 years when a rare alignment of the sun, moon and
Earth create a massive gravitational pull on the sea.
On each occasion, Mont Saint-Michel provides a stunning setting for those looking to watch the phenomenon.
Incredible
photos snapped from the air show Mont Saint-Michel, an 11th century
abbey located off France’s Normandy coast, cut off from the mainland as
it was surrounded by water in the English Channel.
Perched
on a rocky island, the Unesco World Heritage Site is exposed to some of
the most powerful tides in the world and attracts an estimated two
million visitors a year.
In nearby Saint-Malo, France, spectators were soaked by large waves which crashed over the crowded waterfront.
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Visitors staked out positions around the rocky island in anticipation of a wall of water that is expected to reach 46ft
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Experts said the wall of water could equal the height of a four-storey building and 'will come in faster than a running man'
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Incredible aerial photos show the picturesque landmark, about half a mile off the coast of Normandy, cut off from the mainland
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Experts said the last 'tide of the
century' occurred on March 10, 1997 and people will have to wait until
March 2033 for the next one
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A woman walks on the sand at low tide
around Mont Saint-Michel, an 11th century abbey about half a mile off
France's Normandy coast
This
morning's high tide was close to peak levels as the sea rushed in from
over eight miles out, but calm weather diminished the risk of flooding
and let down some of the visitors who travelled from afar.
Tourist Jean-Bernard
Delamarche, who visited Saint-Malo, said: 'For the "tide of the
century" I am a bit disappointed. We came one year, we were staying at
the hotel Ibis and we could not get out of the hotel because the street
was flooded. But it's true that it is impressive.'
US
student Noah Feingold added: 'It's almost more spectacular at low tide
in the end because you will be able to walk kilometres and see some
little secret beaches that will only be revealed at this moment.'
THAMES BARRIER CLOSES FOR THE 175TH TIME IN ITS 30 YEAR LIFESPAN AFTER ECLIPSE TRIGGERS HIGH TIDES
High
tides triggered by the eclipse saw water flooding over the banks of the
River Thames today as alerts remained in place for parts of the UK.
The
Thames Barrier has closed for the 175th time today in its 30 year
lifespan, the first operational closure of 2015 and the first of the
2014 to 2015 winter season.
As
the moment of high tide approached, the river flooded on to the path in
Barrier Gardens. Flood alerts were also issued for parts of Teddington
and Twickenham.
High tides were reported in Greenwich, Putney Embankment, Chiswick Mall and Strand-on-the Green in Chiswick.
The
‘supertide’ phenomenon occurs once every 18 years when a rare alignment
of the sun, moon and Earth create a massive gravitational pull on the
sea.
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The Thames Barrier has closed for the
175th time today in its over 30 year lifespan after high tides triggered
by the solar eclipse threatened flooding in parts of the UK
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As the moment of high tide approached,
the river flooded on to the path in Barrier Gardens. This is the first
operational closure of 2015 and the first of the 2014 to 2015 winter
season
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The high tide was close to peak levels
as the sea rushed in from over eight miles out, but calm weather
diminished the risk of flooding
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Mont Saint-Michel was briefly turned
into an island at high tide, but low tide provided an opportunity for
people to walk on the flat seabed
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The ‘supertide’
phenomenon occurs once every 18 years when the sun, moon and Earth align
and the gravitational pull boosts water levels
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France kicked off nearly a month of
exceptionally large spring tides, as people flocked to coastal areas for
the so-called 'tide of the century'
While
it is a massive tourist draw the exceptionally high spring tide caused
some anxious moments for people who live near the sea.
Parts of the coast are on high alert and people have been urged not to venture out too far during the 'supertide'.
Officials
at France's Navy Oceanic and Hydrological Service (SHOM) warned that
the tide ‘will come in faster than a running man’.
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The phenomenon drew French Defence
Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent
Fabius to Mont Saint-Michel
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While it is a massive tourist draw the
exceptionally high spring tide is causing some anxious moments for
people who live near the sea
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Parts of the coast are on high alert
and France's Navy Oceanic and Hydrological Service has urged people not
to venture out too far
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People gaze into the sky and shield
their eyes as a solar eclipse begins over the Eden Project near St
Austell in Cornwall, England
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Students from St Ursula's school gather at Greenwich Observatory to view the first solar eclipse in the UK for 15 years
Michael
Dodds, director of the regional tourism committee, said: 'This natural
phenomenon is an incredible opportunity for tourism in Brittany at this
time of year.'
Similar
tides are expected along the coasts of Britain and the Netherlands, and
at the Bay of Fundy in Canada. The largest tidal ranges in the world
occur in Canada at the Bay of Fundy and Ungava Bay where tides can reach
55ft in height, according to Canadian officials.
The last 'tide of the century' occurred on March 10, 1997 and the next will take place in March 2033.
