In September 2023, the melting of a glacier in Greenland triggered a massive landslide that caused a 200-meter mega-tsunami. But what followed was anything but unusual: a mysterious vibration that lasted for nine days and was felt around the world. After a year of intense research, a 68-strong international team of scientists has managed to decipher the phenomenon, according to a new study published in the journal Science. Their discovery underlines once again that the Arctic region is entering a period of radical change as global temperatures continue to rise.
Seismologists were initially confused, thinking their equipment was faulty when they detected strange vibrations in the ground. Unlike normal earthquakes, this 'hum' lasted much longer and was completely unprecedented. The source of the signal was located in eastern Greenland near Dickson Fjord, where a tsunami had already been reported. The international collaboration of researchers has concluded that these phenomena are linked to what experts call 'cascading hazards', all rooted in climate change caused by human activities.
The continued melting of a massive glacier destabilized a mountain, causing a landslide that dumped a huge amount of rocks and debris into the fjord. The resulting surge, one of the largest in recent history, created a 'seiche' - a rhythmic oscillation of water in an enclosed space - that lasted for days. Researchers were surprised to discover that the phenomenon generated seismic energy that spread across the globe.
Although no one was hurt, the tsunami destroyed ancient cultural sites and damaged an abandoned military base. Had a cruise ship been in the area at the time, the consequences would have been devastating. Experts warn that, as global warming continues, such extreme events could become more frequent in Arctic regions, endangering similar areas in Alaska, Canada and Norway.