In September 2023, a significant landslide in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord triggered a powerful megatsunami, creating waves that reverberated through the fjord for an entire week. This extraordinary event, detected through seismic monitors, has provided critical insights into the remote region’s geological activity.
Researchers from the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences and the University of Potsdam in Germany documented the phenomenon known as a “seiche.” This refers to a series of oscillations in a body of water that, when combined, form standing waves. These standing waves were detected in seismic data up to 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles) away, underscoring the event’s magnitude.
“The fact that the signal of a rockslide-triggered sloshing wave in a remote area of Greenland can be observed worldwide and for over a week is exciting,” said geophysicist Angela Carrillo-Ponce from the GFZ German Research Center for Geoscience.
Using satellite imagery and seismic data, the researchers identified the high-energy landslide that initiated the megatsunami, which reached heights of up to 200 meters (656 feet) above the shore. The tsunami’s force was so intense that it sent water surging as far as the offshore island of Ella, more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the landslide’s origin.
The ongoing impact of the landslide was recorded through a very long period (VLP) signal, capturing the standing wave’s presence over the following days. Social media reports also confirmed the aftermath of the event, providing further evidence of its scale.
While the exact cause of the landslide remains unclear, the data gathered has shed light on the processes involved and could enhance future monitoring of similar events. As the global climate continues to warm, the stability of regions like Greenland may decrease, leading to more frequent and severe incidents such as this one. The ability to detect and analyze these events is crucial for early warning and mitigation efforts.
“It is quite impressive to see that we could use good-quality data from stations located as far as Germany, Alaska, and North America,” Carrillo-Ponce noted, highlighting the global reach of the seismic signals.
The findings, published in The Seismic Record, underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring in remote areas as climate change continues to alter the Earth’s natural systems. This incident in Greenland serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by unstable geological conditions in the face of rising temperatures.
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