When France and Britain Were One

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.  

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 .

Chalk Cliffs of Dover, England
Photo Credit: https://answersingenesis.org/

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.

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.  

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.

Photo Credit: http://mapsof.net/map/france-departments-with-population-density

Research Resources:
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