construction
incredible engineering: the maeslant storm surge barrier
the maeslant barrier (maeslantkering), a huge storm surge barrier at the mouth of the port of rotterdam in the netherlands, is the largest hydraulic engineering structure on earth and, according to hard-fact bible wikipedia, ‘the largest moving structure on earth’. it was opened in 1997 as the final part of the delta works, an enormous project undertaken in order to protect certain coastal areas of the country from the sea after a flood in 1953 killed more than 1800 people in the area.
the barrier consists of 2 incredible movable gates which automatically sweep across the water, meeting in the middle of the waterway to form a temporary wall, each of the gates rotating on 680-ton steel ball joints which, with a diameter of 35ft, are also the largest in the world. the barrier’s movable design was chosen as the waterway it guards is far too valuable in terms of trade to shut off permanently: this single barrier cost $700m and has absolutely no effect on ship traffic.
a few weeks ago (november 8th) the barriers were used for the first time prior to fierce storms and succeeded in protecting the port from flooding. the gates, weighing the equivalent of 4 eiffel towers, took 30 minutes to close.
below is the barrier as seen on google maps, the direct link is here.
there’s a brief clip of the barrier below.
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Amazing! The imagery on Google maps is pretty impressive too.
That is really incredible!!!
I live in Belgium. And actually I have to admit that I’ve never been to the Deltawerken. It’s not far from my place, I think a 2 hour drive (max). I really need to go there some day!!
I always want to see stuff in the States or other countries far far away, but I forget that countries next to my country, also have amazing things to show to the world!
Thankyou dd! Am just doing research on Storm Surge Barriers, and your picture collection & animations are really great!!
Truly incredible engineering! Love it!
I’m proud to be Dutch when i see this
This is the proud of the Dutch.
I live in the Netherlands, and I know what it’s like when you have to run away for the water. Twelve years ago, I was evecuated because of the high water. And every time when it is in the news that the Maeslandkering is being closed, I remember these days of 1995.
This is one of a thousand reasons why I wish I lived in the Netherlands! Is anyone adopting 46-year old men there?
I’ve been there and must say it’s very impressive. Next to the size of the barrier it’s also very cool to see all the very large ship passing by. Although it’s not very touristic it’s worth seeing! I can also recomment the nice (free) museum that’s located next to the barrier.
I live in Rotterdam and have seen the deltawerken to the south plenty of times, but this is something else. Recently they closed this barrier for the first time when it was actually needed to protect the land and cities below sealevel behind it and i can tell you it was an awesome sight to see.
hello, as a rotterdammer who was born there i am very proud.
this was an immense project to keep the dutch people safe.
it was a major undertaking,it also shows what people can do and need to do like
new orleans la.
thank you.
it’s really not that impressive. for a billion dollars you could make anything seem impressive! what’s this, a couple of frameworks of metal that go in and out, wow!! (/sarcasm)
It doesn’t just go in and out, it closes off an entire river and protects the inland and it’s 5 million inhabitants against flooding from a storm surge. I fail to see how that could not be impressive to anyone.
check for more facts : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maeslantkering
Personally i find another barrier to the south more impressive, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oosterscheldekering