A recent study has revealed that a mega-tsunami triggered by a landslide in Greenland caused the Earth to vibrate for a duration of nine days. The incident occurred last September when a mountain peak, standing at 1.2 kilometers (0.7 miles) high, collapsed, leading to water in the fjord below sloshing back and forth and generating vibrations that penetrated the Earth’s crust.
The research, which involved scientists from University College London (UCL), identified that the glacier at the base of the mountain had thinned due to climate change, which ultimately contributed to the landslide. This unprecedented event took place above Dickson Fjord in eastern Greenland, leaving researchers astonished.
Dr. Stephen Hicks, a co-author of the study from UCL Earth Sciences, noted, “This marks the first occurrence of water sloshing being documented as vibrations traversing the Earth’s crust, extending globally and persisting for several days.” He added that despite knowing that seismometers can track various surface activities, this was the first time a long-lasting, globally traveling seismic wave characterized by a single frequency of oscillation had been observed.
The study also highlights the complex relationships between climate change, glacier destabilization, hydrological movements, and the Earth’s solid crust. To further illustrate the phenomenon, researchers used a mathematical model to replicate the landslide’s angle, demonstrating that the water would have splashed every 90 seconds, creating substantial vibrations throughout the planet, resulting in one of the most significant tsunamis in modern history.
The tsunami wave initially extended 10 kilometers (7.4 miles) across the fjord and reached heights of 110 meters, although it diminished to 7 meters within minutes, according to the study published in the journal Science.