Unprecedented Greenland Landslide Triggers Global Seismic Waves, Scientists Say

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16/09/2024 19h58

In a startling event that sent shockwaves across the globe, a massive landslide in Greenland's remote Dickson Fjord caused seismic signals to be detected from the Arctic to Antarctica. The nine-day-long tremors, recorded by seismometers worldwide, have left scientists puzzled and intrigued.

The colossal landslide, believed to be a consequence of climate change, occurred in September 2023. It resulted in a tsunami of epic proportions, with waves reaching as high as 110 meters after a 1.2-kilometer-high mountain peak collapsed into the fjord. Although the initial impact was dramatic, the tsunami's height decreased to 7 meters within minutes.

What made this event even more astonishing were the unusual and persistent vibrations recorded by seismometers during the disaster. These vibrations had a distinct single frequency, resembling a monotonous hum, completely unlike the typical signals associated with earthquakes. Dr. Stephen Hicks, a researcher from University College London's Earth Sciences department, expressed his initial bewilderment, stating, "When I first saw the seismic signal, I was completely baffled."

To investigate this fascinating phenomenon, an international team of 68 researchers from 40 institutions across 15 countries joined forces. Utilizing computer modeling, satellite imagery, and field measurements, they meticulously analyzed the landslide and tsunami events. Their comprehensive model accurately predicted the global vibrations, highlighting the immense scale of this natural disaster that lasted for a staggering nine days.

The cause of the landslide was attributed to climate change-induced glacier thinning, which destabilized the mountain. Lead author Dr. Kristian Svennevig from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland emphasized the significance of the study, stating, "This is the first-ever landslide and tsunami observed from eastern Greenland, showing how climate change has major impacts there."

This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need to monitor vulnerable polar regions as climate change escalates the likelihood of large-scale landslides. With the Arctic warming nearly four times faster than the global average, the study advocates for enhanced surveillance systems to provide early warnings for these catastrophic events.

The Greenland landslide has served as a wake-up call, reminding us of the far-reaching consequences of climate change and the imperative to safeguard our planet's vulnerable areas. As further research unfolds, scientists hope to gain valuable insights that will enable better preparation and response strategies for future events of this nature.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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