A team of scientists have uncovered the cause of a seismic event that caused the entire Earth to vibrate for nine days in September 2023. A landslide and mega-tsunami in Greenland, triggered by the effects of the climate crisis, were found to be responsible for the unprecedented occurrence. The collapse of a mountain peak into the Dickson fjord in east Greenland led to a tsunami wave 200 meters high, reverberating seismic waves around the world for over a week.
The event, the first of its kind in eastern Greenland, highlights the impact of global heating on the planet. The researchers have determined that similar events have been observed in areas such as western Greenland, Alaska, Canada, Norway, and Chile. The study involved 68 scientists from 40 institutions in 15 countries who combined seismic data, field measurements, imagery, and simulations to unravel the mystery.
The researchers noted that the phenomena of landslides and tsunamis will likely become more common as temperatures continue to rise due to climate change. The findings also highlighted the interconnected nature of the planet, with the seismic waves traveling from Greenland to Antarctica within an hour. This global event serves as a stark reminder of the significant impact that human activity and climate change are having on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems. The study was published in the journal Science, shedding light on the planetary-scale consequences of environmental degradation.
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