In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists revealed that a landslide and mega-tsunami occurred in Greenland in September 2023. Triggered by the climate crisis, the event caused the Earth to vibrate continuously for nine days. The unprecedented seismic waves were detected worldwide, baffling researchers with their duration and intensity. The seismic event, detected by earthquake sensors worldwide, baffled researchers due to its unprecedented nature.
The landslide occurred on 16 September 2023, when a 1,200-meter-high mountain peak in the remote Dickson fjord collapsed. The glacier beneath melted, leading to the rock face’s collapse, as it could no longer provide support. The collapse triggered a massive wave 200 meters high, followed by prolonged water sloshing within the fjord. These movements generated seismic waves that resonated across the planet for more than a week.
This landslide and mega-tsunami are the first ever recorded in eastern Greenland. According to Dr. Kristian Svennevig from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, the lead author of the investigation, “It definitely shows that east Greenland is now prone to landslides.”
The seismic event, labeled as an “unidentified seismic object” (USO), was unlike any previously recorded earthquakes, as it lasted far longer. The investigation, which took 68 scientists from 40 institutions across 15 countries, combined seismic data, satellite imagery, and computer simulations to solve the mystery. They concluded that 25 million cubic meters of rock and ice had plunged into the fjord, creating massive waves.
Remarkably, this disaster narrowly missed affecting human life. A cruise ship carrying 200 passengers, stranded in mud just days before the tsunami, was freed before the waves hit. The waves destroyed an Inuit site and huts on Ella Island, which is a Danish military and research outpost. Fortunately, no casualties happened since the area was uninhabited at the time of the disaster.
Scientists warn that such events will become more frequent as global temperatures rise, making even previously stable regions vulnerable to large-scale landslides. The study, published in Science, highlights how the climate crisis is already having planetary-scale impacts. For the first time, climate-related event vibrations were felt globally, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of global warming.
As the Arctic heats up rapidly, Greenland and other areas are expected to experience more catastrophic events in the future. This increase in such events raises concerns about the safety of vulnerable regions and the long-term effects of climate change.