‘Tis the season for king tides: extreme high tides caused by the combined gravitational forces of the sun and moon when the moon is closest to the earth.
King tides combined with stormy weather can cause damaging flooding and erosion in coastal communities. The effects will only increase as sea levels rise due to climate change. Luckily, here on Pender Island, the vast majority of houses and roads have been built far enough above sea level to escape flooding, and our rocky shores are highly resistant to erosion.
Pictured here is a more benign effect of a king tide: driftwood logs left behind as the tide retreats.
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