What is the Thames Barrier?
Q: What is the Thames Barrier?
A: The Thames Barrier is the world's second-largest movable flood barrier, located downstream of central London. Its purpose is to prevent London from being flooded by exceptionally high tides and storm surges coming up from the North Sea.
Q: Where is the Thames Barrier located?
A: The Thames Barrier is located on the northern bank in the London Borough of Newham and its southern bank in the London Borough of Greenwich.
Q: How does it work?
A: The barrier is raised (closed) during high tide and lowered at ebb tide to release water which backs up behind it.
Q: What led to its construction?
A: The report of Hermann Bondi into the North Sea flood of 1953 affecting parts of the Thames Estuary and parts of London was what led to building of the barrier.
Q: What is its size compared to other similar structures?
A: The Thames Barrier is the world's second-largest movable flood barrier, after the Oosterscheldekering in Netherlands.
Q: What are its coordinates? A: Its coordinates are 51°29′52″N 0°02′12″E / 51.497744°N 0.036679°E / 51.497744; 0.036679
