Oxford Confirms 200-Metre Greenland Tsunami Caused 9-Day Global Tremors
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 4
Oxford Confirms 200-Metre Greenland Tsunami Caused 9-Day Global Tremors
2 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 4
Summary
SWOT satellite data gave Oxford researchers the first direct view of the Dickson Fjord seiche, showing cross-channel water-height differences of up to 2 metres that flipped direction over time.
Those observations confirm that a 200-metre mega-tsunami triggered by a mountaintop collapse in September 2023 became trapped in the fjord, producing the 90-second seismic pulse recorded worldwide for nine days.
The team linked the satellite maps to distant seismic records to reconstruct the wave between satellite passes and said tidal and wind forcing did not explain the oscillation; a second, similar event a month later points to another landslide.
The finding strengthens evidence that glacier thinning in eastern Greenland destabilized the slope and shows remote Arctic hazards can generate planet-wide signals, underscoring the value of new satellite monitoring in poorly instrumented regions.
Greenland's mystery wave was solved by satellite; what other hidden climate threats will this advanced technology uncover next?
As glaciers retreat, how do we predict which mountains will be the next to collapse and trigger a mega-tsunami?
When a Mountain Collapsed: The 2023 Greenland Fjord Tsunami and Its Nine-Day Worldwide Seismic Signal
Overview
On September 16, 2023, rapid climate change caused glaciers in eastern Greenland to thin and retreat, weakening the support of a mountain in Dickson Fjord. This led to a massive collapse and rock-ice avalanche, triggering a mega-tsunami that became trapped by the fjord’s unique shape. The resulting long-lasting standing wave sent vibrations through the Earth’s crust, creating a global seismic signal that puzzled scientists. Using advanced satellite data and seismic analysis, researchers confirmed the link between the prolonged water movement and the worldwide tremor. This event highlights the urgent need for better monitoring, risk management, and climate action as such hazards become more frequent.