An ‘Unidentified Seismic Object’ Shook Earth for Nine Days—Now We Know What It Was
In September 2023, earthquake scientists detected a puzzling and unprecedented signal on monitoring stations used to detect seismic activity. This signal was unlike any other previously recorded, as it was a monotonous hum containing only a single vibration frequency that persisted for a staggering nine days. Initially classified as a “USO” – an unidentified seismic object – the source of this mysterious signal was eventually traced back to a massive landslide in Greenland’s remote Dickson Fjord.
The landslide in Dickson Fjord was a catastrophic event that sent shockwaves through the scientific community. Triggered by decades of global heating that had thinned the glacier by several tens of meters, the collapse resulted in a staggering volume of rock and ice plunging into the fjord. This massive landslide sparked a 200-meter-high mega-tsunami and a phenomenon known as a seiche, a wave in the icy fjord that continued to slosh back and forth, some 10,000 times over the course of nine days.
The height of the tsunami wave was unprecedented, dwarfing even the waves generated by major undersea earthquakes in Indonesia in 2004 and Japan in 2011. The scale of the event was captured in satellite images that showed the dramatic before-and-after transformation of the landscape in Dickson Fjord. This discovery, published in the journal Science, was the result of collaboration among 66 scientists from 40 institutions across 15 countries, highlighting the global impact of this event.
Uncharted Waters: The Implications of Climate Change
The Dickson Fjord tsunami served as a stark reminder of the ways in which climate change is reshaping our planet and challenging our scientific understanding. This event underscored the fact that we are navigating uncharted waters, facing phenomena that defy our previous understanding and expectations. The persistence of the seiche for nine days was a clear example of how extreme conditions resulting from climate change are pushing the boundaries of what we once thought possible.
Traditionally, discussions about climate change have focused on the atmosphere and oceans, with shifting weather patterns and rising sea levels taking center stage. However, the events in Dickson Fjord forced us to look downward, to the very crust beneath our feet. For the first time, climate change had triggered a seismic event with global implications, sending vibrations through the Earth that traveled far and wide within hours of the event.
As permafrost continues to warm and glaciers thin at an alarming rate, the likelihood of similar landslide-tsunamis occurring in polar and mountainous regions around the world increases. The events in Greenland in 2023 were just the beginning, with unstable slopes in other regions such as west Greenland and Alaska posing imminent threats of similar disasters. It is imperative that we equip ourselves with the necessary tools and mindset to address these challenges effectively.
The Need for Adaptation and Innovation in Scientific Methods
The unprecedented nature of the Dickson Fjord event highlighted the urgent need for innovation and adaptation in our scientific methods and approaches. The existing frameworks and toolkits that we rely on may no longer be sufficient to handle the increasingly extreme and unexpected phenomena resulting from climate change. The scientific community must be prepared to think outside the box and develop new ways of understanding and analyzing these events.
The ground beneath us is not only shaking literally but also figuratively, as we grapple with the implications of a rapidly changing climate. Our current understanding is shaped by a climate that is now near-extinct, making it essential for us to adapt and evolve our thinking to address the challenges that lie ahead. Decision-makers must also be proactive in taking the necessary steps to mitigate the impact of climate change and prepare for the unforeseen events that may arise in the future.
Looking Ahead: Navigating a New Era of Climate Change
As we continue to alter the planet’s climate, we must be prepared for the unexpected and be willing to embrace new ways of thinking and approaching scientific challenges. The events in Dickson Fjord served as a wake-up call, reminding us of the urgent need to adapt and innovate in the face of a rapidly changing environment. The seismic event triggered by the landslide in Greenland was a clear indication of the far-reaching consequences of climate change and the need for a concerted global effort to address these challenges.
In conclusion, the Dickson Fjord tsunami was a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the impact of human-induced climate change on our planet. It is essential that we heed the lessons learned from this event and take proactive measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and prepare for the unforeseen events that may lie ahead. By working together and embracing innovation and adaptation, we can navigate this new era of climate change and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.