Last September, a peculiar hum reverberated from Greenland, detected by seismologists worldwide. This unusual signal, unlike any previously recorded, lasted for nine days.
Coincidentally, a cruise ship near Greenland’s fjords witnessed the destruction of Ella Island, a remote landmark used for scientific research and military purposes. The island’s destruction, coupled with the mysterious vibrations, sparked an international investigation involving seismologists, the Danish military, and oceanographers.
The investigation revealed, a catastrophic event: a massive tsunami had struck Ella Island, leaving a watermark approximately 650 feet high. This unprecedented tsunami was a result of a series of rare, climate change-induced events.
The initial trigger was the collapse of a glacier tongue due to rising temperatures. This destabilized a steep mountainside, causing a rock and ice avalanche to plunge into Greenland’s deep Dickson Fjord. The avalanche displaced a massive volume of water, generating a towering wave that traveled across the narrow fjord.
These tsunami waves, some as tall as the Statue of Liberty, surged up the fjord’s steep rock walls. The landslide’s near-90-degree impact caused the waves to oscillate back and forth for nine days, a phenomenon known as a seiche.
This seiche was the longest ever observed, as landslide-triggered tsunamis usually dissipate within a few hours. Landslide-induced tsunamis, though less common than many realize, pose a significant threat to Arctic and subarctic regions. In 2017, a similar event devastated the village of Nuugaatsiaq, resulting in four deaths and widespread destruction.
The risk of landslide tsunamis is further exacerbated by increasing development in polar regions, attracting miners, shippers, and tourists. As more people venture into these areas, the likelihood of encountering such hazards also rises. The Greenland tsunami serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of climate change and the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate its effects.
Reference- Journal Science, NBC report, Advanced Science News, BBC, ABC