This week, Vancouver Island is experiencing a low tide level event bringing levels lower than expected with a peak of -0.2 metres on Wednesday.
A combination of atmospheric pressure, the summer solstice, and the alignment of the moon are the cause for this.
“We’re seeing its [the moon] tonight, so that means that the sun and the moon are both aligned and they’re contributing both to the tides and the low tides. Then we have the moon in perigee, which means is at its closest proximity to the earth,” said Dr. Richard Dewey, associate science director at Ocean Networks Canada.
On Wednesday, tide levels in Victoria peaked for the week at -0.2 metres just before 9:30 a.m.
That’s not the lowest recorded for Victoria, though. That record was set at -0.4 metres back in 1957.
With lower tide levels, many have flocked to shorelines to explore the left-behind sea life.
Tina Kelly, director of learning at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea has seen large numbers of people attend their drop-in exploration events this week.
“We have families, young and old, all ages. People coming from Victoria, Sooke, all over the place just to come out and see the creatures,” said Kelly.
The event is also attracting glass collectors to hopefully catch some rare glass. Megan Sereda travelled from Vancouver and says the Island is a much better place for beachcombers.
“There’s just no glass over there to be transparent. I think a lot of it gets hit by this side of the coast and it gets caught here,” said Sereda.
“This is the place to be.”
The low tide, however, is exposing sea life to much more sunlight than its used to. During last year’s heat dome, Dewey says plants underwent extreme stress.
“We’re about 10 degrees lower than when were during that heat dome of June 2021 and as a result, those species have a little bit of a temperature reprieve. They’re still being exposed to warm sunny air, but not the heat that we had last year,” added Dewey.
The low tide event will continue through the week. Data shows that a low tide peak is expected at 10:25 a.m. on Thursday, with levels at -0.1 metres.
Oli Herrera
