Latest news with #DicksonFjord
Sustainability Times
12-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Unprecedented Natural Disaster Strikes': A 650-Foot Mega-Tsunami Sends Seismic Waves Circling the Globe
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. Not China, Not Egypt: This Colossal European Megastructure Is the Largest Man-Made Wonder Visible From Space Unusual Heartbeat in the Crust 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. 'Radioactive Dust From the Desert': Nuclear-Contaminated Saharan Sand Rains Down on France, Shocking Scientists and Alarming the Public Investigators Follow the Clues 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. 'Saudi Arabia to Wipe Out Nature': 105-Mile Mirror Wall Will Slaughter Tens of Thousands of Birds Across Lifesaving Migration Paths Climate's Silent Hand 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. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (26)
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Oxford study finds 'extraordinary' tremors caused by tsunamis
A series of "extraordinary" tremors observed across the globe were caused by two tsunamis stranded within a fjord in Greenland, a new study has September and October 2023, the "bizarre" seismic activity was observed every 90 seconds over intermittent periods each University of Oxford-led research confirmed it was caused by two mega tsunamis, which occurred after the warming of a glacier led to two major tsunamis became trapped standing waves that surged back and forth within the remote Dickson fjord in eastern Greenland, causing the tremors, the study found. The research's lead author Thomas Monahan, from the University of Oxford, said: "Climate change is giving rise to new, unseen extremes."These extremes are changing the fastest in remote areas, such as the Arctic, where our ability to measure them using physical sensors is limited." To conduct the study into what researchers called the "extraordinary" tremors , scientists used new techniques to interpret data recorded by satellites orbiting the altimetry data measures the height of the Earth's surface by recording how long it takes for a radar pulse to travel from a satellite to the surface and back altimeters were unable to record evidence of the Greenland tsunamis, but a satellite launched in December 2022 had the equipment capable of doing so - allowing researchers to observe the trapped waves."This study shows how we can leverage the next generation of satellite earth observation technologies to study these processes," Mr Monahan of the study Prof Thomas Adcock added: "This study is an example of how the next generation of satellite data can resolve phenomena that has remained a mystery in the past."We will be able to get new insights into ocean extremes such as tsunamis, storm surges, and freak waves." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mysterious 'mega-tsunamis' that shook the entire world for 9 days revealed by satellite
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists have made the first direct observations of a strange seismic event that shook the world for nine consecutive days in 2023 and confirmed its cause: two "mega-tsunamis" that sloshed around an East Greenland fjord. The gigantic waves — one of which measured 650 feet (200 meters) high, or about half the height of the Empire State Building — entered East Greenland's Dickson Fjord and rocked back and forth for nine days in September 2023, sending seismic waves reverberating through the planet's crust. The signal was initially a mystery to scientists, but ground and satellite imagery traced the likely culprit to landslides in the fjord. These landslides unleashed the waves, known as seiches, following the climate-change-induced melting of a glacier behind the fjord. However, no direct evidence of these seiches was found. Now, the theory has been confirmed by a new satellite that tracks water on the surface of the ocean. The findings were published Tuesday (June 3) in the journal Nature Communications. "Climate change is giving rise to new, unseen extremes," study lead author Thomas Monahan, a graduate student in engineering science at the University of Oxford, said in a statement. "These extremes are changing the fastest in remote areas, such as the Arctic, where our ability to measure them using physical sensors is limited. This study shows how we can leverage the next generation of satellite Earth observation technologies to study these processes." Related: 'This is a very big earthquake': The science behind Myanmar's magnitude 7.7 earthquake Typically, scientists study the movements of tsunami waves using a method called satellite altimetry, in which radar pulses are sent to the ocean's surface from orbit to measure a wave's height based on the time it takes for the pulses to return. But because satellites have long gaps in coverage and their instruments can only measure what's beneath them, they are unable to measure the differences in water height in confined areas like those within the fjord. To confirm the existence of the seiches, the scientists turned to data captured by the new Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, a joint project of NASA and CNES, France's space agency. Launched in December 2022, the satellite uses an instrument called the Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) to map 90% of the water across the ocean's surface. KaRIn works by using two antennae mounted across a boom on each side of the satellite to triangulate the return signals of radar pulses with unprecedented accuracy — measuring water levels with a resolution of up to 8.2 feet (2.5 m) along a 30-mile (50 kilometers) arc. RELATED STORIES —Alarming collapse of Greenland ice shelves sparks warning of sea level rise —Greenland lost enough ice in the last 2 decades to cover the United States in 1.5 feet of water —What's the difference between a tsunami and a tidal wave? SWOT data taken above the fjord during the two mega-tsunamis revealed two cross-channel slopes moving in opposite directions between it, confirming their presence. Seismic observations made thousands of miles away, alongside weather and tidal readings, further enabled the researchers to reconstruct the waves and conclusively link them to the mysterious seismic signals. "This study is an example of how the next generation of satellite data can resolve phenomena that has remained a mystery in the past," co-author Thomas Adcock, a professor of engineering science at the University of Oxford, said in the statement. "We will be able to get new insights into ocean extremes such as tsunamis, storm surges, and freak waves," he added. "However, to get the most out of these data we will need to innovate and use both machine learning and our knowledge of ocean physics to interpret our new results."
Gizmodo
03-06-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
Mega-Tsunamis That Shook the World for 9 Days Revealed in New Satellite Images
Scientists have finally solved the mystery behind two strange events that shook the entire planet for nine days straight. Their findings close the book on a years-long effort to trace the seismic signals back to their source. In September 2023, global seismometers detected something strange. The Earth was experiencing minor tremors every 90 seconds—and the shaking went on for nine days. One month later, it happened again. Scientists were baffled, as natural tectonic processes couldn't explain the anomalies. After roughly a year of scientific sleuthing, two studies published in 2024 independently hypothesized that the shaking resulted from two huge landslides, setting off two 'mega-tsunamis' in the Dickson Fjord in East Greenland. These enormous standing waves—or seiches—sloshed back and forth inside the fjord and triggered small movements within the Earth's crust, they posited. It was an intriguing possibility, and both studies presented compelling evidence to support their claims. But, 'there were some big uncertainties that made it difficult to fully corroborate that this was actually the root cause,' Thomas Monahan, a Schmidt AI in Science fellow at the University of Oxford, told Gizmodo. So, Monahan and his colleagues set out to confirm whether this hypothesis was correct. In a study published today in the journal Nature Communications, they unveiled the first direct satellite observations of the seiches and definitively linked them to the seismic anomalies. The researchers used data captured by NASA's Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, which launched in December 2022 to map the height of water across 90% of Earth's surface. This type of data collection—known as satellite altimetry—works by transmitting radar pulses from a satellite to Earth's surface, and then measuring the time it takes for the signals to bounce off the surface and return to the satellite. Conventional altimeters failed to capture evidence of the seiches due to long gaps between observations, according to an Oxford statement. As such, they generally struggle to gather data in fjord regions due to the complexity of the terrain, Monahan said. But SWOT is equipped with a cutting-edge altimeter instrument that uses two antennas to triangulate the return signals. This allows the satellite to take very high-resolution measurements of surface water levels. 'What we're able to get is essentially an incredibly high-resolution snapshot of what the elevation of the sea surface is doing in these complex regions,' Monahan said. These snapshots provided a more accurate picture of how the fjord's sea surface height changed during the 2023 seismic events, allowing his research team to calculate the slopes of the massive waves that had formed. 'We were able to essentially unearth the fact that there was a significant anomaly in the fjord exactly when we would expect this wave to occur,' Monahan said. But determining that these seiches formed at the same time as the strange seismic signals still wasn't enough to prove the two events were linked. The researchers needed direct evidence to prove that these huge waves were capable of generating global tremors. To that end, they linked the SWOT snapshots to small movements in the Earth's crust detected at seismic stations located thousands of miles away from the fjord. Coupling this continuous seismic data with the intermittent satellite observations allowed them to reconstruct the characteristics of the wave, even for periods that SWOT did not observe. The researchers also ruled out the possibility that the seismicity stemmed from weather or tidal conditions and ultimately determined that the seiches were the sources of the tremors. These waves formed when a warming glacier collapsed in on itself, Monahan said. 'This created very large landslides, which—when they struck the fjord—produced massive mega-tsunamis on the order of 200 meters or 600 feet tall,' he explained. 'This was the first time that a mega-tsunami of that nature had occurred in Eastern Greenland,' Monahan said, adding that this type of event has been documented on the territory's west coast. To see this phenomenon spreading to other parts of the ice sheet 'is concerning,' he said, because it shows that climate change is accelerating in this region. 'I think what this study really emphasizes is that—well, it sounds silly to say—but climate change is a global phenomenon,' Monahan said. 'Some of the biggest and fastest changes are occurring in the Arctic and in remote regions where we may not see it every single day. But it's important to understand and quantify those changes as they will eventually come to impact us where we live,' he said. Indeed, the waves that shook the world offer a stark reminder of the sweeping impacts of rising global temperatures.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Earth vibrated for 9 DAYS following a 650ft mega-tsunami, scientists confirm
Back in September 2023, scientists around the world were baffled by a bizarre seismic signal that repeated every 90 seconds for nine days. Now, almost two years later, scientists have confirmed the root cause of this bizarre phenomenon. Using novel satellite technology, experts from the University of Oxford have shown that the strange signal was caused by a 650ft (200 metre) mega-tsunami. This colossal wave was triggered by the collapse of a 3,937ft (1,200 metre) mountain into the remote Dickson Fjord in Greenland, unleashing 25 million cubic metres of rock and ice. The huge wave became trapped in the Fjord, bouncing back and forth in the form of a standing wave or 'seiche'. Lead author Thomas Monahan, Schmidt AI in Science Fellow at Oxford University, told MailOnline: 'The standing wave itself was massive. 'We estimate it to initially be 7.9 metres in height - that is an enormous wall of water bouncing back and forth. 'An estimate of the force that exerts over the length of the fjord is 500 Giga Newtons, which is equivalent to the amount of force produced by 14 Saturn V rocket ships launching at once, and was enough to shake the earth for days.' Part of what made the 2023 seismic event so mysterious was that no one directly observed the tsunami in order to prove it was the source of the vibrations. Even a Danish military vessel visiting the fjord in the days after the tsunami was unable to see any evidence of a standing wave. This was because the wave rapidly reduced in height even as it continued to produce seismic signals. Starting at around 23ft (seven metres) in height by the time it had crossed the 6.2-mile (10km) extent of the Dickson Fjord, the standing wave had become just centimetres tall after a few days. Combined with the fact that the military didn't know what they were looking for, this meant the wave went completely unobserved. Now, in a new paper published in Nature Communications, Mr Monahan and his colleagues have used novel satellite technology to make the first observations of the mega-tsunami. The scientists used 'satellite altimetry data', which works out the height of the Earth's surface by measuring how long it takes for radar signals to bounce off the surface. Due to the long gaps between observations, normal satellite altimetry isn't able to measure precisely enough to capture something like a wave. However, the researchers used data captured by the new Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite launched in 2022. SWOT uses two antennae held on either side of a 33ft (10 metre) arm which work together to make extremely accurate measurements. This dataset covers over 90 per cent of the Earth's surface, allowing scientists unprecedented views of the world's waterways. Mr Monahan says: 'Unlike previous satellites, SWOT provides detailed two-dimensional measurements of sea surface height, down to the centimetre, across the entire globe, including in hard-to-reach areas like fjords, rivers, and estuaries. 'Because SWOT can "see" into remote regions from space, it gave us an unprecedented view into Dickson Fjord during the seiche events in September and October. 'By capturing high-resolution images of sea-surface height at different times, we could estimate how the water surface tilted during the wave — in other words, the slope of the seiche.' The researchers then combined these observations with seismic data taken from thousands of miles away to reconstruct the size and characteristics of the waves. Additionally, the researchers reconstructed the local weather and tide conditions to confirm that the wave could not have been caused by anything other than a massive landslide. Co-author Professor Thomas Adcock, of the University of Oxford, says: 'This study is an example of how the next generation of satellite data can resolve phenomena that has remained a mystery in the past. 'We will be able to get new insights into ocean extremes such as tsunamis, storm surges, and freak waves.' These abilities will become even more valuable in the future as climate change creates more freak disasters like the 2023 tsunami. As the climate gets hotter, glacial collapses will become more common and put more lives at risk. Research conducted by University College London in 2024 found that the collapse occurred because a warming climate had weakened the surrounding glacier. Dickson Fjord is a popular route for tourist cruise ships and, had a ship been in the fjord at the time, the impact could have been devastating. Last week flood waters created by the partial collapse of the Birch glacier in Switzerland destroyed 90 per cent of the nearby village of Blatten amidst fears that more villages could still be at risk. Mr Monahan says: 'Climate change is giving rise to new, unseen extremes. These extremes are changing the fastest in remote areas, such as the Arctic, where our ability to measure them using physical sensors is limited.' WHAT CAUSES TSUNAMIS? A tsunami, sometimes called a tidal wave or a seismic sea wave, is a series of giant waves that are created by a disturbance in the ocean. The disturbance could be a landslide, a volcanic eruption, an earthquake or a meteorite; the culprit is most often an earthquake. If the landslide or earthquake triggering the tsunami occurs nearby the shore, inhabitants could see its effects almost immediately. The first wave of the tsunami can arrive within minutes, before a government or other institution has time to issue a warning. Areas that are closer to sea level have a higher risk of being affected by the waves. Those less than 25 feet from sea level are the most dangerous. The cause of death most frequently associated with tsunamis is drowning. Additional hazards include drinking water contamination, fires and flooding. Initial tsunami warnings are usually based on seismic information only. Inhabitants of coastal areas that might be exposed to a tsunami are encouraged to follow evacuation routes in the event that they receive a tsunami warning. They should seek higher ground or move inland immediately to get away from the ocean.
