One of the most striking geographic features of the Nord-Pas
de Calais is the channel coast, that runs 121 KM from Dunkerque in the north to
Berck in the south, forming the region’s western boundary.
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| Photo Credit: www.mycampingfrance.co.uk |
However, Scientists now believe that this picturesque
coastline is a recent development in the scope of Geologic time. It is believed
that the Nord-Pas de Calais was connected to the English coast as little as
10,0000 years ago. Scientists have utilized similar clues, such as matching
rock type, that Alfred Wegner used in forming his Continental Drift Theory in
1912, to research the connections between the opposing coasts .
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| Chalk Cliffs of Dover, England Photo Credit: https://answersingenesis.org/ |
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| Chalk Cliffs of Calais, France Photo Credit: http://www.pinterest.com/serendipitydk/picardie-france/ |
On the English side of the Channel you have the White Salt Cliffs of
Dover, separated only by a narrow (50km) stretch of the Channel from the Nord-Pas de Calais Region of France. It is here where you see the Chalk cliffs
of Calais and the great salt lands of the north.
It is believed that the land connecting these areas was
submerged by a mega-flood. The Waters of the
North Sea had previously been held back by a glacial dam-like structure, but upon
melting sent waters rushing over the now submerged channel.
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| While this event took place 450,00 years ago, scientists believe that sparse land bridges existed until 10,000 years ago |
The shallow depth of the channel, only about 43 meters on
average , between the Nord-Pas De Calais region and the Dover region of South
East England allowed for the creation of the Channel Tunnel. It was during the
planning and development of the tunnel that scientist discovered large chalk strata that run the length of the
channel between the two coasts further reinforcing the belief that these two
land masses were connected.
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| Notice the multiple layers of Chalk strata that traverse the Channel between the English and French Coasts Photo Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_Tunnel |
The short distance between the two coasts and the
development of the channel tunnel has
had a massive effect on the region's population. As a point of commerce between the British
Isles and mainland Europe the region is one of the most densely populated in
Europe.
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| Photo Credit: http://mapsof.net/map/france-departments-with-population-density |
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/187921/English-Channel
http://www.icr.org/article/megafloods-english-channel/
http://www.calais.com/v/geography/
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-12244964
