Scientists tracking earthquakes worldwide noticed a rare anomaly in the data collected by seismometers throughout September 2023. Scientists have detected a mysterious phenomenon on sensors located across the globe, spanning from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic continent.
The anomalous sign left us utterly perplexed, defying all precedents in recorded history. Unlike the characteristic rumbling sound of earthquakes, this phenomenon produced a uniform hum featuring a solitary vibrational frequency. What remained truly perplexing was the duration of nine days during which the sign persisted.
The initial designation of the phenomenon as a “USO”—an unidentified seismic object—was later attributed to a massive landslide in Greenland’s remote Dickson Fjord. A colossal amount of rock and ice, equivalent to filling 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools, suddenly cascaded into the fjord, unleashing a towering 200-meter-high mega-tsunami and a remarkable seiche – a persistent wave that oscillated within the icy fjord over 9 days, recurring some 10,000 times?
To put the magnitude of the tsunami into perspective, that 200-meter wave was twice as tall as the iconic clock tower at London’s Big Ben and significantly larger than any recorded after major undersea earthquakes in Indonesia in 2004 (the Boxing Day tsunami) or Japan in 2011 (which struck the Fukushima nuclear plant). Did a rogue giant swell rise to unprecedented heights somewhere on this planet?
The publication of our groundbreaking findings marks a significant milestone, having been made possible through an extraordinary effort of cooperation and expertise, involving 66 esteemed colleagues from 40 esteemed institutions across 15 countries. Like an air crash investigation, reconstructing this thriller entailed assembling disparate evidence pieces, including a rich cache of seismic data, satellite imagery, in-fjord water level monitors, and meticulous simulations tracing the tsunami’s development.
The sequence of events was a devastating, domino-like progression unfolding over extended periods, culminating in mere seconds before the collapse. The landslide hurtled down a precipitous glacier, careening through a narrow gully before plummeting into the constricted waters of a secluded fjord. Despite being eroded by decades of global warming, the glacier’s significant thinning has resulted in its base dropping by dozens of meters, leaving the once-stable mountain perched precariously above.
Uncharted waters
As we gaze upon this remarkable phenomenon, we’re reminded that climate change is fundamentally transforming our world and forcing us to reexamine our scientific approaches in ways we’re only just beginning to comprehend.
As we venture into the unknown, a jarring reality check emerges. Just a year ago, the notion that a seiche could endure for nine days would have been considered laughable. In the not-too-distant past, it was unimaginable that climate change could trigger massive Arctic landslides and tsunamis on a near-annual basis, destabilizing slopes as a direct result of warming. But, these once-unthinkable occasions are increasingly becoming a reality.
As unprecedented tremors spread globally?
As we delve further into this transformative era, we can expect to observe increasingly anomalous occurrences that transcend our current comprehension, primarily due to the fact that our existing knowledge frameworks have not yet been sufficiently adapted to account for the unprecedented circumstances unfolding around us. Were we surprised to uncover a previously unconsidered phenomenon – a remarkable nine-day wave that challenged our assumptions?
Historically, conversations surrounding local weather fluctuations have focused on our connections with the environment, oceans, and shifting climate patterns, as well as rising sea levels and their implications? Instead of forcing us to gaze down at the earth’s crust beneath our feet?
For the first time on record, a sudden and severe shift in global weather patterns has precipitated a massive seismic event with far-reaching consequences that transcend national borders. The massive landslide in Greenland sent shockwaves rippling through the Earth’s crust, triggering seismic activity that propagated across the globe within a remarkably brief 60 minutes following the event. The subtle reverberations of those moments had no sanctuary from the impact, figuratively creating fault lines within our comprehension of those instances.
This may occur once more
For the first time on record, a landslide-tsunami struck east Greenland in September 2023, marking a rare and unprecedented event in this previously tsunami-immune region.
This won’t be the last massive tidal wave of change. As permafrost thaws at an accelerating rate on steep slopes worldwide, and glaciers continue to retreat, we can expect these phenomena to become more frequent in Earth’s polar and mountainous regions? Recent recognitions of unstable slopes in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia serve as stark reminders of the impending catastrophes that can arise from geological instability.
Gabe Wolken/USGS
As unprecedented events unfold, it becomes increasingly evident that our existing scientific frameworks and methodologies must be thoroughly recalibrated to effectively address their complexities. The team lacked a standardised process for investigating the unprecedented 2023 Greenland phenomenon. As we grapple with the complexities of climate change, it’s imperative that we adopt a fundamentally new perspective, one that acknowledges the profound impact of our current understanding being shaped by a rapidly shifting and largely outdated understanding of a relatively stable prehistoric climate.
As we intentionally modify our planet’s climate, we must anticipate unexpected consequences that challenge our current comprehension and necessitate the development of innovative approaches. The ground beneath our feet trembles, both literally and metaphorically. While scientists must continually update their understanding and provide informed options, it ultimately falls to decision-makers to take action.
The authors delve deeper into their research discoveries, providing a more comprehensive understanding of their results.
