The Tide Of The Century Is Hitting Western Europe

Visitors to France's famed Mont Saint-Michel witnessed a "supertide" on Saturday, with soaring waves transforming the landmark into a complete island. According to The Telegraph, the supertide was triggered by a solar eclipse that occurred on Friday, and hit the shores of both northern France, where Mont Saint-Michel sits, and the English Channel.

Oay, so the supertide is not really "the tide of the century" as people have labeled it. It actually comes every 18 years, so the next one is expected in 2033. The not quite once-in-a-lifetime event is also known as "spring tides" in Great Britain and northern France, which have been known to devour the shores and beaches of the nations. The first round of the spring tides hit Great Britain earlier this year, causing floods across England and Wales. But the true display of the supertide came on Saturday, when it completely engulfed the causeway connecting Mont Saint-Michel to the mainland, completely cutting off the island. Tourists who visit Mont Saint-Michel, which sits about one meter from the mainland, can typically walk across the vast seabed at low tide. But on Saturday, thousands gathered there and watched as the historic island, which is home to an ancient abbey, was completely surrounded by high waters.

And here's what it looked like if you were standing on Mont Saint-Michel when the supertide hit.

Over in England, thousands also turned out to surf in estuaries or watch as the waves overcame the Thames River, washing up on the shores of London.

Although the supertide hits the region every 18 years, many residents say they've never seen anything like this at Mont Saint-Michel. Spectator and French resident Wilfred James told the Associated Press, "It's been a long time since we've seen Mont Saint-Michel surrounded by the sea. I was born in this region and I never saw it like this."

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