Greenland landslide caused freak wave that shook Earth for nine days
A landslide in Greenland triggered a unique seismic event lasting nine days, linked to climate change and resulting in a tsunami, highlighting potential future geological instability from similar occurrences.
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On September 16, 2023, a significant landslide in Greenland triggered a unique seismic event that was detected globally for nine days. Seismologists initially referred to the phenomenon as an unidentified seismic object (USO) due to its unusual characteristics, which differed from typical earthquake signals. The source was identified as a standing wave caused by water oscillating in Dickson Fjord, resulting from a massive landslide that generated a tsunami approximately 110 meters high. The wave exhibited a consistent frequency of around 11 millihertz, correlating with the fjord's dimensions. The prolonged duration of the wave was attributed to the fjord's shape, which allowed for energy trapping, causing the water to oscillate with minimal resistance. This landslide, the first recorded in eastern Greenland, was linked to climate change, as a thinning glacier contributed to the collapse of 25 million cubic meters of rock and ice. Although no one was present during the event, it damaged monitoring equipment and abandoned structures in the area. Experts warn that as climate change progresses, similar landslides may become more frequent, highlighting the broader impacts of climate change on geological stability.
- A landslide in Greenland caused a unique seismic event detected for nine days.
- The event was linked to a tsunami and a standing wave in Dickson Fjord.
- The phenomenon was attributed to the fjord's shape, which trapped energy.
- The landslide was a result of climate change, with significant geological implications.
- Experts predict more frequent landslides due to ongoing climate change.
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4 commentsThey probably would have figured it out from the seismic data eventually, but the tsunami was identified within a week in one of the remotest places on earth because of some random pleasure cruise.
[1] https://www.smobserved.com/story/2023/09/21/news/greenland-t...
Consider replacing the link to the article with the video.
Pretty typical-looking for the area, so it seems likely we will see more events like this as the glaciers recede. At some point we'll probably get video!
Reminds me of this Norwegian movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wave_(2015_film)
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