Re-routing a river
The flood also left its mark on the environment. The River Rhine and the River Thames used to join up in a single river system that flowed north into the North Sea. Sanjeev and Jenny say the mega-flood diverted the Rhine to its current position, entering the North Sea further southwest, nearer the 'top' of the English Channel.
The sudden rush of freshwater into the Atlantic Ocean could also have disturbed warm ocean currents, cooling the climate.
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The Rhine is one of the largest rivers in Europe. Its source lies in Switzerland, and it flows through France and Germany before discharging into the North Sea in the Netherlands (centre of image).
Image: ESA |
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