A massive tidal wave swept spectators in Hangzhou, China on Wednesday as the supermoon aggravated the usually large tides of the Qiantang River.

Dubbed as the 'monster tidal wave,' the tide surged higher than normal - even according to the standards of the Hangzhou city river, which can reach almost 11.5 feet in height.

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Spectators, who regularly visit the area to witness powerful waves in the river every 18^th day of the eight month in the lunar calendar, were literally swept off their feet after the monster wave caught them by surprise.

Fortunately, reports indicate that no one was killed during the incident though photos taken from the scene show some Chinese spectators with minor injuries.

The unusually humongous wave was believed to be caused by the supermoon, or perigee, that had risen all over the world on August 10.

This month's supermoon is believed to be the largest, brightest, and closest full moon for the year 2014. Experts forecast that the next occurrence of the phenomenon as close as the one that recently occurred in August will happen on September 28 next year.

Astronomers also call the occurrence a 'perigee full moon,' meaning it is the moon's closest position to Earth in a particular month.

The term 'supermoon' was first used when the perigee full moon occurred on March 19, more than three years ago. The term was then applied to perigee moons in following years.

With the combined effect of the sun and moon on the Earth's bodies of water, experts explained that tides are at their highest during new and full moons.

Though the supermoon may have increased the pull on the tides in China, research shows that the effect of even the closest full moon is relatively weak, adding only inches at its maximum of tidal differences.

Tagssupermoon, perigee full moon, perigee moon, supermoon tidal wave, china supermoon tidal wave