California experienced the highest tides of the year on Thursday.
The phenomenon is known as "King Tides."
According to San Diego Audubon Society, the occurrence can offer a glimpse into what shorelines might look like 20 to 50 years from now due to potential rising sea levels.
Rebecca Schwartz Lesberg, director of conservation for San Diego Audobon, says the region's wetlands will become increasingly important because they can act as a buffer between the ocean and communities.
"Wetlands can take in a lot of water. Coastal development really can't. So as long as you have a ribbon of wetlands along your coast, they act as a sponge. High tides can come in and fill in the wetlands, rather than flooding your coastal development,” said Lesberg.
The tides are caused when the earth, sun and moon’s gravitational fields align in specific way. They occur several times a year.
