Photo: Iqaluit’s breakwater flooded by high tides

A supermoon means super big tides in Iqaluit — tides which flooded the city’s breakwater and even caused water to encroach on the beach-front road. Every month, as the moon moves through its elliptical orbit, it reaches a point when it is furthest (the apogee) and closest (the perigee), to earth. In fact, the difference between the moon’s apogee and perigee throughout the year can be significant: about 42,000 kilometres. When the full moon coincides with its perigee, you get what astronomers call a “supermoon,” one that appears bigger from earth. But it’s not just interesting to look at. A supermoon exerts a stronger than normal gravitational pull which in turn causes extra high and low tides. (PHOTO BY STEVE DUCHARME)