The Bering Land Bridge, or Beringia, was a massive landmass that once connected Asia and North America during the Ice Age. Spanning up to 1,000 miles from north to south and 600 miles wide at its peak, this expansive region served as a vital corridor for the migration of humans and animals. It played a crucial role in shaping the movement of species and the course of human history. Genetic studies reveal that individuals across Canada, North America and South America share direct ancestral links with populations in present-day Eastern Russia, highlighting the impact of this ancient land bridge.
The Bering Land Bridge emerged as a result of dramatic climatic and geological changes during the Ice Age, particularly in the Pleistocene Epoch. During this time, glaciers trapped vast amounts of the Earth’s water, causing sea levels to drop by as much as 400 feet, which exposed the Bering Land Bridge. This vast landmass supported diverse plant and animal life, creating a rich ecosystem that provided essential resources for migrating species. Over millennia, the bridge was repeatedly exposed and submerged due to the cyclical nature of glaciations and interglacial periods.
Archaeological and genetic evidence suggests that the first humans to cross the Bering Land Bridge were small groups of hunter-gatherers in search of animal food sources and more favourable climates. According to the “Beringian Standstill Hypothesis,” these early migrants are believed to have spent thousands of years living on the bridge itself, adapting to its unique environment. Once ice-free corridors opened up, these populations moved southward, eventually spreading throughout the Americas.
The Bering Land Bridge served as a critical corridor for the exchange of plant and animal species between continents during the Ice Age. North American species such as horses and camels migrated into Asia, while Asian species like mammoths and saber-toothed tigers journeyed into North America. This bidirectional movement enriched biodiversity on both continents and played a pivotal role in shaping evolutionary pathways.
The disappearance of the Bering Land Bridge around 11,000 years ago led to the isolation of plant and animal populations, driving distinct evolutionary pathways. The earlier exchange of species had enriched the genetic pool and fostered ecological resilience on both continents, highlighting the transformative impact of such connections. The impact of the Bering Land Bridge serves as a reminder of the pivotal role geographical features play in shaping biodiversity. Even today, the shared ancestry of certain plants and animals in Asia and North America stands as evidence of these ancient migrations.
New Year’s Celebrations are an all-consuming global event with spectacular firework displays from almost every major capital city in the world, broadcast on TV, signaling the new calendar. A significant part of the world doesn’t follow the Gregorian calendar and do not celebrate their new year on the 31st of December, but do so on alternate dates, in line with their own traditions and belief systems. I have outlined 5 well-known alternate new year celebrations below.
The Chinese New Year is based on the Lunar Calendar and is referred to as the “Spring Festival” in China. It is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. Rooted in the Chinese lunar calendar, its date varies annually. Families gather to honour ancestors, eat traditional foods like dumplings, and watch stunning firework displays. Each year is associated with a different zodiac animal, believed to influence the year’s character, and 2025 will be the year of the snake and starts on January 29th. New Year’s Eve and ends on February the 12th, the Lantern Festival. While China is the origin, countries like Vietnam (Tết) and South Korea (Seollal) also celebrate variations of Lunar New Year.
Nowruz, translating to “New Day,” marks the Persian New Year and the first day of spring and is based around the Northern Hemisphere’s Spring Equinox. Originating over 3,000 years ago in Zoroastrianism, it is now celebrated by millions across Iran, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East. Rituals include cleaning homes (spring cleaning), preparing a Haft-Seen table adorned with symbolic items, and visiting family. The holiday embodies renewal, growth, and harmony with nature and is based on the Solar Hijri Calendar.
In certain parts of India, such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, the festival of Diwali doubles as the New Year. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes are lit with oil lamps, sweets are shared, and prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. The day after Diwali marks the beginning of a new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar, ushering in hope and positivity.
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. Celebrated over two days, it is a time of reflection, prayer, and renewal. Traditions include the sounding of the shofar (a ram’s horn), eating symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey to symbolise a sweet year, and reciting prayers of repentance. Rosh Hashanah is deeply spiritual, focusing on self-improvement and reconciliation. It is celebrated within Jewish populations World-wide.
Songkran, rooted in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, means “passing” or “approaching” in Sanskrit and aligns with the solar calendar and celebrates renewal. It is most famously known for its exuberant water fights, symbolizing purification and the washing away of bad luck.
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The next time you look at a world map, ask yourself, “Is this world map wrong?”. Maps are everywhere, hanging in classrooms or your home study wall and appearing on websites. But have you ever wondered if the world map you know is actually accurate?
World maps are complex representations of the Earth’s surface that involve significant compromises and distortions. The challenge arises because the Earth is a three-dimensional sphere, but maps are flat, two-dimensional representations. When translating the Earth’s curved surface onto a flat map, cartographers must decide what to keep accurate and what to distort. This has led to the creation of various map projections, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
While it’s unlikely you use these maps in an educational environment, the Babylonians (600 BCE), Greeks (6th century BCE), and the Byzantine monk Ptolemy, (2nd century CE), used travelers’ accounts and mathematical calculations to depict the world’s basic layout, often featuring one to three continents. With more data and exploration, they could have created even more accurate maps.
However, the typical classroom map you see is likely based on the more (relatively speaking) recent Mercator projection, developed in the 16th century, informed by both historical and new knowledge from global exploration. The creation of accurate maps remained challenging, however, because full geographic information was still limited; as such, maps were built painstakingly from the notes, accounts, and observations of these explorers. Despite these limitations, the Mercator projection was revolutionary for its time because it preserved angles and directions, making it useful for navigation. However, the first Mercator maps also distorted the true sizes of continents and oceans, especially those farther from the equator.
Some notable distortions in the Mercator projection included:
Greenland, Siberia, Canada, and Antarctica appear disproportionately massive.
Greenland alone looked roughly the size of Africa, even though Africa is actually 14 times larger.
Africa appears smaller than North America, although it is, again, larger.
In contrast, the Gall-Peters projection, developed in the 19th century, was designed to preserve the relative area of land masses, offering a more accurate sense of the size of different countries. Although this projection distorts the shapes of continents, making them appear stretched or squashed, their relative sizes are more accurate, with Africa shown as larger than North America and Europe. This projection sparked political controversy, which may have limited its popularity. Other projections have since been developed to balance distortions in size, shape, and distance, but the Mercator and Gall-Peters projections remain among the best-known.
Thanks to satellite imagery and advanced technology, such as Google Maps, we now have the capability to create accurate global images. While the physical challenge of gathering geographical data has been largely overcome, today’s challenge lies in creating map projections that are politically acceptable in a complex geopolitical landscape. So, if you’re looking for a truly accurate and politically neutral view of the world, the best option may still be a globe!
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Understanding the environment is paramount to protecting the planet, but with the overload of information available, some terminology can get lost along the way. ‘Biodiversity’, for instance, is a staple buzzword when it comes to climate change, but what does it really mean?
Quite simply, biodiversity means ‘the variety and abundance of the world’s plants and animals’ (Flora & Fauna, 2024). On a global scale, biodiversity might refer to an entire species at risk of extinction, while on a local scale, a rainforest is home to tens of thousand different species – this is a biodiverse environment. The rainforest is rich in biodiversity, whereas a plantation with only one type of tree would lack biodiversity, as it may not support many other species.
A reduction in the number of plant and animal species is known as biodiversity loss. The extinction of species worldwide is an indicator of biodiversity loss and currently, it’s declining faster than ever before – some scientists even believe the Earth is experiencing its sixth mass extinction. Species extinction is just one essential element of biodiversity loss, but it also results in deprivation of the services that natural ecosystems provide to humans, such as the oxygen we breathe or the pollination process.
According to Earth.org, there are four key causes of biodiversity loss. While natural processes can result in permanent changes to the environment, human activity since the Industrial Revolution has expedited the loss. Habitat loss due to land and forest clearing is a significant driver. The human development of land and expanding industries has caused the loss of millions of hectares of trees and their associated ecosystems. This means that natural habitats, such as forests, are declining, having a catastrophic impact on the animals, plants and insects they are home to.
Wildlife trading causes nearly 30,000 species to become extinct every year. Wildlife and exotic pet trading, as well as animal poaching, often target vulnerable species putting them at greater risk of extinction. Overfishing means that due to the demands of the commercial fishing industry, humans fish at a higher rate than stocks are able to replenish. Despite the regulations in place, many marine species are in decline.
Climate change is perhaps most widely known as contributing to biodiversity loss and environmental damage, as the human dependence on fossil fuels and the consequent greenhouse gas emissions have caused climate change. The rising temperature across the globe means that species cannot move or adapt quickly enough to keep up with the changes, putting millions of species at risk of extinction.
Fundamentally, biodiversity is the planet’s superpower; the Earth’s capability to home so many living things.
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October half-term is the perfect time to take a break from the hustle of daily routines, enjoy autumn’s beauty, and spend quality time with family and friends. With Halloween festivities and the crisp, colourful weather, this is a great opportunity to embrace the season’s charm while keeping kids entertained. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or creative indoor activities, here are some fantastic ideas to make the most of the October half-term.
Visiting a pumpkin patch is a quintessential autumn activity that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Many farms across the UK open their fields for pumpkin picking in October, offering a fun day out where you can choose the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. Many pumpkin patches also host other activities, such as tractor rides, corn mazes, and petting zoos. Don’t forget to snap a few seasonal photos to capture the magic of autumn!
Top Tip: Check local farms for pre-booking requirements, as pumpkin patches can get busy during the half-term.
With the leaves turning golden and the crisp air setting in, October is one of the best months for enjoying the UK’s stunning natural landscapes. Take a trip to a nearby national park or woodland for a peaceful family hike, picnic, or wildlife spotting. Autumn is the perfect time for collecting conkers, pine cones, and colourful leaves to use in seasonal crafts later.
Where to go: The New Forest, Peak District, or Sherwood Forest are all fantastic for autumn walks.
Many attractions across the UK embrace the spooky spirit of Halloween with special events that range from family-friendly fun to haunted house experiences for older kids and teens. From ghost tours and haunted castles to pumpkin trails and fancy dress parties, there’s no shortage of ways to get into the Halloween spirit.
Where to find Halloween events: Check your local museums, stately homes, and theme parks for Halloween activities. Some, like Warwick Castle, have special Halloween experiences with spooky trails and stories.
For families with a love of outdoor sports, half-term is an excellent time to try an adventurous activity. Many outdoor centres offer everything from climbing, abseiling, and archery to paddle boarding and canoeing. Adventure parks and activity centres often run special half-term sessions where kids can learn new skills or try something new in a safe, supervised environment.
Great outdoor activity centres: Go Ape locations across the UK are ideal for tree-top climbing and zip-lining, while centres like PGL or local adventure parks offer multi-activity days.
The UK’s rich history offers a wide range of fascinating historical sites and castles to explore. Many of these places run special half-term activities for families, such as themed treasure hunts, costume days, or living history demonstrations. Visiting a castle or historic house is not only a great way to learn about history but also a chance to explore stunning grounds and gardens.
Top sites to visit: Windsor Castle, Tower of London, and Edinburgh Castle are popular, while lesser-known gems like Bodiam Castle and Kenilworth Castle often host half-term events.
If the weather isn’t on your side, a visit to a museum or science centre can provide an educational and exciting day out. Many museums across the UK offer free entry and have interactive exhibits that are perfect for children. Check if your local museum is offering any half-term workshops, craft activities, or temporary exhibitions that might pique the interest of curious minds.
Family-friendly museums: The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum in London are firm favourites, while the Eden Project in Cornwall and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester are excellent alternatives.
For a creative day indoors, why not try some autumn-inspired arts and crafts? Leaf printing, pumpkin carving, and making Halloween decorations are great ways to get into the seasonal spirit. You can collect natural materials like leaves, acorns, and pinecones from a nearby park or forest to use in your projects. Baking Halloween-themed treats like spooky cookies or toffee apples is another way to make the day special.
Craft ideas: Make autumn wreaths, paint pine cones, or create spooky garlands to hang around the house.
Autumn is a wonderful time to see wildlife, as many animals prepare for winter. Whether you visit a wildlife reserve, zoo, or a local nature reserve, half-term is a great chance for kids to learn about nature. Many wildlife centres offer guided walks, bird-watching sessions, or even bat walks, where you can discover nocturnal creatures in a safe environment.
Top wildlife parks: Visit Longleat Safari Park or Woburn Safari Park for an exciting animal adventure, or take a quieter trip to a wildlife reserve like RSPB Minsmere or Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
Many theatres across the country put on special performances for children and families during the October half-term. Whether it’s a magical pantomime, a musical, or a puppet show, catching a live performance is a fantastic way to introduce children to the arts and enjoy a cosy afternoon together. Check your local theatre for family-friendly performances, including adaptations of popular books and films.
Theatres to watch: The West End in London offers big productions, while local theatres often have affordable, charming shows perfect for younger audiences.
Many theme parks across the UK go all out for Halloween, offering special spooky events alongside their usual rides and attractions. Some parks feature haunted mazes, scare zones, and Halloween-themed parades. These parks cater to various age groups, with milder activities for younger children and scarier thrills for teens and adults.
Theme parks to try: Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, and LEGOLAND Windsor offer Halloween events perfect for a family day out.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective activity, why not create your own treasure hunt at home? You can make it Halloween-themed, with clues leading to hidden treats or spooky surprises. Tailor the difficulty to suit the age of your children, and let them solve puzzles or follow maps to find hidden treasures. This can be a brilliant way to engage their imagination and keep them entertained indoors.
For a relaxing day at home, plan a cosy movie marathon. You can theme it around Halloween with spooky-but-not-too-scary films for younger kids or pick a family-favourite series like Harry Potter. Create a cinema experience by making popcorn, dimming the lights, and letting everyone choose their favourite film.
Movie ideas: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, or Coco are great autumnal options.
October half-term offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the best of autumn, whether that’s embracing the season’s natural beauty, indulging in Halloween festivities, or spending quality time indoors. With a range of activities that cater to every interest and budget, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this break and create lasting memories with your family.
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Nowadays, it’s easy to take digital maps for granted; we can easily pull out our phones to find directions and get suggested travelling routes. However, many centuries ago, maps did not exist and our perceptions of the world were very different. The art of mapping, or cartography, has revolutionised our understanding of our planet, but even with high precision mapping and digital technology, maps are always being updated. “Sandy Island”, which was known to be in the South Pacific, for example, was included in maps for over 200 years, but in 2012 scientists proved it didn’t exist when the island couldn’t actually be located.
While evidence of the earliest maps created are contested, from mammoth tooth inscriptions to cave art star maps, Babylonian maps created in 600 BC on clay tablets are generally accepted as the first real global scale maps. Early maps such as these were based more on speculation than scientific approach and had no measure of scale, depicting the Earth as a flat disc. The first scientific approach to cartography was made by Greek astronomer and mathematician Claudius Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. Through his work on horoscopes, Ptolemy devised a system of longitude and latitude to accurately plot global locations and create a two-dimensional map of the world – which was now known to be round.
The 15th and 16th centuries marked a pivotal era in the history of mapping. Explorers such as Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan, through desire for trade and conquest, discovered new lands such as the Americas and new sea routes. New maps were needed to showcase nautical routes with greater accuracy. Much of the inland of these newly found continents was still speculated at the time, however (See the largely absent North America on the map above, which was drawn up around 1621).
The Mercator projection, developed by Gerardus Mercator in 1569, further revolutionised nautical navigation through the ability to represent lines of constant course as straight lines. The mathematical method of the map’s construction caused land masses appear further away from the equator and become distorted and disproportionally larger. This made its practical usage limited but it was ideal for nautical navigation.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, scientific advancements brought about more precise methods for mapping. The invention of the chronometer by John Harrison allowed mariners to finally measure their longitude wherever they were at sea, improving sea navigation. Mapping agencies began to appear along with large scale surveys. In 1745, The Ordinance Survey first started mapping the UK, initially as part of a military defence strategy, bringing with it a higher level of detail than previously seen.
The 20th century has brought with it new technology such as the internet, satellites and geographic information systems (GIS). These advances have allowed the rapid development of highly sophisticated digital maps, through the use of aerial mapping, spatial awareness and data sharing. Companies such as Google have completely revolutionised modern maps, allowing for a higher level of detail and interactivity.
While historically maps have served the purpose of navigation, territory marking, trade routes and military campaigns, modern maps are able to provide high-level advantages. GIS technology has allowed scientists to map the spread of diseases, climate change, migration patterns and land development.
This additional level of spatial data has also allowed informed decisions to be made on resource management and urban development. Businesses can analyse customer location data while emergency responders can use GPS locations to rapidly locate accident scenes. Future developments such in AI and real-time dynamics will continue to make our maps more interactive and integrated into our everyday lives.
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Our oceans are forever in motion, transporting nutrients and thermal energy across the globe. The thermohaline circulation, sometimes called the Ocean Conveyor Belt, is a vast and complex interconnected system that facilitates this motion through differences in water density. The thermohaline circulation helps to maintain a stable climate and plays an important role in the absorption of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
While winds effect the upper 100 metres of the oceans surfaces, changes in water density due to salinity (salt concentration) and temperature affect deeper ocean currents. The theory of thermohaline circulation was first proposed by Henry Stommel and Arnold Arons in 1960 and is an extremely slow process – the circulating water moves at approximately 1cm per second and takes 500 years to complete a full cycle.
In warmer climates near the pacific equator, surface water is heated by the sun and flows west through the Indian ocean, southern Africa and up towards the North Atlantic via the Gulf Stream. As the warm water reaches Greenland and Norway, the effects of evaporation, heat loss and the formation of ice increases the level of salination in the water. This increases its density, causing it to sink to the ocean floor as ‘North Atlantic Deep Water’. This effect forces displaced nutrient rich water south towards Antartica and then eastwards as part of the Antartic Circumpolar Current. As it passes back into the Pacific, it starts to mix with warmer water which causes an upwelling, completing the THC cycle.
The thermohaline circulation plays an important role in the stabilisation of the Earth’s temperature by supplying heat from the equator to the polar regions. This helps cool down the hotter regions and regulates the rate of polar sea ice formation. Changes in oceanic temperature influences global weather patterns; the gulf stream for example causes the climate of Western Europe to be milder than other regions of similar latitude.
The thermohaline circulation supports marine life and biodiversity where nutrient-rich deep water upwelling promotes the growth of plankton – the foundation energy source for the oceanic food web. The cycle also helps to lock away greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the depths of the ocean, helping to mitigate the effects of global warming.
There is a growing concern for the health of the thermohaline circulation system. Global warming has led to the warming of the oceans waters and melting of the polar ice caps, the latter leading to a decreased level of salination in the polar regions. These effects make it more difficult for the formation of North Atlantic Deep Water, leading to a slowdown in the thermohaline cycle. Scientist research has suggested that if carbon emission remain constant, the thermohaline circulation will slow down by more than 40% over the next 30 years.
A collapse in this oceanic system will lead to lower levels of marine life, increased weather and global climate instability, changes in sea levels and flooding and depletion of fish stocks. Past disruptions have been attributed to the glacial conditions of the Younger Dryas event, around 12,000 years ago. We must therefore take care to ensure the future of this fragile ecosystem through practices such as sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse gasses.
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With Britain having its 6th wettest April since records began, the average Brit could at the time be forgiven for thinking that Spring had not begun, even though it was a month past the Spring Equinox. Thankfully, May did revert to a more typical Spring climate, but the fact that 2023 also recorded the wettest March on record suggests that sunshine may not be the best physical indicator of the arrival of Spring, as UK seasons become noticeably less defined.
However, the spring migratory patterns of birds coming to the UK remains a more reliable physical indicator of the arrival of the season. Birds come to the UK in Spring because it is an excellent climate for raising young. As a result of our days being cooler and longer than they are in Sub-Saharan Africa (where many of our migrating birds originate), they can spend longer hunting for food to help the family grow. There are also fewer natural predators and less competition than in Africa so it’s an all-round better hunting environment.
It would be wrong to think of Spring Migration as being akin to the arrivals lounge of Heathrow at the start of the holiday season. Spring Migration is not a singular process with thousands of birds blackening our skies on the dawn of the Spring Equinox. Rather, Spring bird migration to the UK comes in many waves and happens gradually between late February and May. The first wave of ornithological visitors are the Wheatears and Sand Martins, arriving from late February onwards. These are very much the early birds who catch the worm! Chiffchaffs, Osprey, Swallows (think Swallows and Amazons), and Ring Ouzels can also bear the cooler temperatures of the blackened of winter and follow next in early March. Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Yellow Wagtails, and tree pits start arriving in late March, marking the Spring Equinox.
April is perhaps the peak season for arrival with no fewer than 16 varieties of migratory birds arriving during the month. So, maybe April is a little bit like the start of the bird holiday season! This is when some of the most well-known bird varieties arrive such as House Martins, Nightingales, (known for their noticeable bird song, especially at night), Cuckoos (another bird with a very distinctive sound), and Swifts.
By the start of May the Spring Migration is over and many of these visitors will be nestling in treetops or maybe even in your attic!
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The Gulf Stream is a powerful ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, travels along the eastern coast of the United States, and then crosses the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe. It is part of the larger North Atlantic Gyre, which is a circular system of currents in the North Atlantic Ocean. The stream is also part of another system called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC. This system brings warm water from tropical areas north on the surface. When it reaches the Arctic it cools down and sinks and travels south along the ocean floor as part of the deep ocean’s circulation.
The warm waters, (and the associated warm air), from the Gulf Stream have a significant role in moderating the UK climate. For example, during the winter months, the Gulf Stream brings warmer air to the region, preventing extreme cold temperatures that would otherwise occur at such high latitudes. The Gulf Stream means that winters in the UK tend to be milder compared to other regions at similar latitudes, such as eastern Canada. This climate chart shows that the average low in the mid-winter months of Dec and Jan is minus 10.5 degrees Celsius, yet in London at corresponding latitudes, the average winter month temperature is minus 1 degrees Celsius. Although a simplistic analysis this relatively warming 10-degree positive swing in winter temperature clearly illustrates the impact of the Gulf Stream on the UK climate which should be like the bitterly cold Canadian climate.
The impact on our summer climate is not as straightforward as daytime temperatures in London and Calgary are similar during the summer months, but overnight temperatures are about 5 degrees lower in Calgary.
The Gulf Stream also plays a role in transporting moisture from the tropics towards Europe. This moisture contributes to rainfall in the UK, particularly in the western and coastal regions. Areas on the western coast, such as Wales and western Scotland, tend to receive more rainfall than eastern regions due in part to the influence of the Gulf Stream.
The Gulf Stream has a significant impact on the climate of the UK, helping to create the relatively mild and temperate conditions that are characteristic of the region, despite its high latitude. However, the latest Scientific research suggests that it is weakening and slowed by 4% over the last 40 years, which will have as yet unquantifiable impacts on the UK climate. This is a hotly contested issue, but one we’ll save that for another article!
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The Severn Bore is a natural phenomenon that occurs on the River Severn in the United Kingdom. It is a tidal bore, which is a large and powerful wave that forms in the river because of the incoming tide from the nearby Atlantic Ocean
Of course, these bores aren’t present or noticeable in every river and there is a reason that the Severn bore exists and is such a spectacle. This is due to it having one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, with the difference between high and low tides often exceeding 14 meters (46 feet). This significant tidal range is a key factor in the formation of the Severn Bore.
As the Atlantic tide pushes water up the narrowing estuary of the River Severn, the water is funnelled into a progressively narrower channel. This narrowing of the estuary helps to amplify the incoming tide and creates the world-famous Severn bore, a powerful wave that travels upstream against the direction of the river flow. The wave can reach heights of up to two meters (6.6 feet) and travel at speeds of up to 21 kilometres per hour.
This would of course be quite a ride for anyone choosing to surf it, which people do! Colonel ‘Mad’ Jack Churchill was the first person documented to have surfed the bore, back in 1955. Surfers, being notorious thrill seekers, tend to target the biggest 3, 4, and 5 star bores, (with 5-star bores happening rarely, perhaps once a year).
The Seven Bore is most pronounced during the spring and autumn months when the tidal range is at its highest. Friday 17th September to Saturday 19th October is the next, most densely packed period of 3- and 4-star bores. The size of the bore is influenced by various factors, including the alignment of the sun and moon, as well as atmospheric conditions, the amount of water flowing down the river and how well sourced the main drainage channels are.
The Seven Bore is a popular attraction for spectators, (underlining its phenomenon status), who gather along the banks of the Severn to watch as it travels upstream. You might even see me there as it’s very local to where I live.
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