'Unprecedented Natural Disaster Strikes': A 650-Foot Mega-Tsunami Sends Seismic Waves Circling the Globe

Sustainability Times

12-06-2025

IN A NUTSHELL 🌊 On September 16, 2023, a massive landslide in Greenland's Dickson Fjord unleashed a 650-foot mega-tsunami , creating a global seismic event.
, creating a global seismic event. 🛰️ Advanced satellite technology, like the SWOT mission , is enhancing our ability to study remote regions and understand oceanic processes.
, is enhancing our ability to study remote regions and understand oceanic processes. 🌡️ The event underscores the impact of climate change , as warming air and ocean waters destabilize natural barriers, increasing the risk of such occurrences.
, as warming air and ocean waters destabilize natural barriers, increasing the risk of such occurrences. 🤝 Over seventy researchers from forty-one institutions collaborated internationally to piece together this seismic puzzle, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary efforts.
The serene and isolated landscapes of Greenland's eastern edge were thrust into the global spotlight when a peculiar event sent seismic ripples across the world. For nine days, scientific instruments detected a rhythmic pulse originating from Dickson Fjord, a remote inlet where a colossal landslide had triggered a series of extraordinary events. This phenomenon, marked by its unique seismic signature, has driven experts from around the globe to unravel the mysteries behind it. As researchers delve into the incident, they are uncovering valuable insights into the natural processes that can lead to such dramatic occurrences. Mountain Falls, Dickson Fjord Rises
On September 16, 2023, a massive landslide occurred in Greenland's Dickson Fjord, where over 25 million cubic yards of rock and ice plummeted into the narrow inlet. This immense volume is comparable to filling 10,000 Olympic-size pools. The impact of such a colossal mass striking the water generated a mega-tsunami wave that reached astonishing heights of 650 feet. The wave traveled swiftly down the fjord, causing destruction and chaos.
As the wave surged through the fjord, it bounced off the headland and returned with tremendous force, causing approximately $200,000 in damages to research equipment on Ella Island. However, the water did not settle after the initial impact. Instead, it began a repeated motion known as a seiche, where the water level oscillated by about 30 feet. This continuous rocking motion pressed on the seafloor like a giant piston, creating a rhythmic pulse that reverberated globally.
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The seismic response to this event was unprecedented. Unlike typical earthquakes that produce frantic seismic scribbles, the trace formed smooth peaks spaced 92 seconds apart. This signature persisted for nearly two weeks, marking the first time a seiche had produced such a consistent global signal. Different modeling groups studied the phenomenon, estimating the water's oscillation at between 8½ and 30 feet. Despite differing assumptions, they agreed the landslide-driven wave was the source.
Alice Gabriel from UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography acknowledged the challenges of accurately simulating such a long-lasting phenomenon. The event's persistence and global impact highlighted the complexity of the forces at play and the need for sophisticated models to understand these unique seismic signatures.
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The mystery attracted over seventy researchers from forty-one institutions worldwide, each eager to understand the event's origin. Kristian Svennevig of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland noted the initial confusion, as scientists had no clear explanation for the signal. Through an interdisciplinary and international effort, they began to piece together the puzzle.
Field teams discovered fresh gouges high on the cliffs, while supercomputers simulated the avalanche's trajectory and the fjord's response. Robert Anthony from the U.S. Geological Survey emphasized the collaborative nature of the research, which combined geophysical observations and numerical modeling to provide a comprehensive understanding of the event. This international collaboration was crucial in solving the enigma of Dickson Fjord's seismic heartbeat.
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The landslide in Dickson Fjord underscores the silent but significant impact of climate change. The warming air and ocean waters have eroded the glacier ice that once stabilized the slope, setting the stage for such dramatic events. Alice Gabriel noted that climate change is altering Earth's typical patterns, paving the way for unusual occurrences.
Similar instability in other regions has previously led to deadly tsunamis, such as the 2017 event in Karrat Fjord, which destroyed homes and claimed lives. As Arctic travel increases, the risks of such events grow, prompting authorities to consider early-warning systems that integrate satellite data with real-time seismic monitoring. Understanding and predicting these events is crucial for mitigating their impact on vulnerable communities and industries. Satellites Sharpen the Picture
Advancements in satellite technology are enhancing our ability to study remote regions like the Arctic. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission, launched in December 2022, provides detailed mapping capabilities, offering insights into oceanic processes in challenging environments like fjords. Thomas Monahan from the University of Oxford highlighted SWOT's role in transforming our understanding of these dynamic environments.
By capturing a 30-mile-wide swath with 8-foot resolution, SWOT allows scientists to observe phenomena previously obscured by traditional sensors. As Professor Thomas Adcock pointed out, these new datasets offer unprecedented insights into oceanic extremes, including tsunamis and rogue waves. Leveraging this data will require advancements in machine learning and ocean physics, ultimately enhancing our ability to predict and respond to these powerful natural events.
The seismic phenomenon at Dickson Fjord serves as a reminder of the natural world's complexity and the intricate forces shaping it. As researchers continue to investigate, they are uncovering new knowledge that could lead to better forecasting and preparedness for future events. This incident raises important questions about our understanding of Earth's dynamic systems: How can we harness emerging technologies to enhance our predictive capabilities and mitigate the impacts of such unforeseen events?
Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article.
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