The world’s biggest tides in two decades will hit Canada’s shores on September 29, 2015.
This is due to a convergence of 3 celestial events: The full moon, The perigee moon, and the fall equinox.
All phenomena are more or less related to the sky. But on September 29, 2015, a convergence of 3 cosmic events will create the highest global tides in almost two decades.
So why?
- The Perigee Moon: The moon will be at the closest point to Earth in its orbit this year, called a perigee, on September 27, exerting its maximum influence on the tides.
- The full moon: The Harvest moon is full on September 27. New or full moons, when occurring at the same time as a perigee moon, have a strong influence on tides. That makes the tides extra big. Did you see the pictures of last night total lunar eclipse?
- The autumn equinox: On September 23, the Earth’s equator was aligned toward the sun.
- Natural cycle: 18-year cycle that synchronizes, and this year and early next year we’re at the peak of this 18 year cycle.
The Bay of Fundy between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia famously reports the highest tides in the world. At their average peak, they can be more than 16 m. But tomorrow, they will get much bigger!
In 1869, a hurricane hit as the highest tides in an 18-year cycle: The Saxby Gale
Known as the Saxby Gale, this storm hit the region on October 4-5, 1869, coincidentally at the top of the same 18-year cycle that will peak this month. It resulted in one of the highest death tolls of any hurricane in Canada.
The storm surge was enormous, topping the dikes by 0.9 m and rising to 2 m above the then-record in the city of Moncton, N.B.
The seas of September 29 won’t be remotely that destructive. There are indeed no tropical systems expected in the area, but the memory of the Saxby Gale gives you an idea of how seriously to take it when the tides reach their 18-year peak.
