(SQAUK) — Scientists have uncovered startling new evidence about the effects of a colossal 650-foot tsunami triggered by a 2017 landslide in a remote Greenland fjord. Researchers revealed that this massive wave caused aftershocks and ripples in the water that reverberated for an astonishing nine days. This discovery sheds light on the extreme risks of melting glaciers and climate change in the Arctic.
The landslide, which occurred in the Karrat Fjord on June 17, 2017, was triggered by the collapse of nearly 45 million tons of rock from a steep mountainside. This rockslide sent a giant tsunami racing through the fjord, devastating the nearby settlement of Nuugaatsiaq and killing four people. But what initially appeared to be a tragic, isolated event is now recognized as an ongoing geological disturbance. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of researchers from the University of Southampton and their international partners, a recent Science study has been published, tracking the wave’s long-lasting effects.
The team’s analysis showed that these microseisms slowly diminished over the nine days, spreading far beyond the immediate area of the fjord, creating subtle but detectable disturbances in other regions of Greenland and even across the North Atlantic. According to the study, the persistence of the wave activity is a testament to the size and power of the initial event, which some experts now call one of the most significant natural disasters in the Arctic in recent history.
Scientists have also pointed to this event as a warning of the growing dangers posed by climate change. With glaciers in the Arctic melting at an accelerating rate, the region’s steep fjords and mountainsides are becoming more unstable. As glaciers shrink, the reduced pressure on surrounding rock faces can lead to landslides, creating a potential for more giant tsunamis like the one seen in Karrat Fjord.
The discovery of the nine-day wave activity offers new insight into how seismic data can help monitor and predict the lasting impacts of such geological events. It also underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and preparedness in regions vulnerable to landslides and tsunamis, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Scientists are calling for more research and monitoring in areas like Greenland to understand better and predict how future landslides could affect coastal communities as the Arctic continues to warm. This call for further research underscores the unpredictability of natural disasters in remote regions and emphasizes the potential for progress in addressing climate change’s far-reaching impacts.
