Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was unique about the seismic data recorded in mid-September 2023?
What was unique about the seismic data recorded in mid-September 2023?
- It was a typical, sharp earthquake reading.
- The rumbling continued for nine consecutive days. (correct)
- It only affected the area surrounding Greenland.
- The seismic activity was extremely weak and localized.
What primary event was initially identified as the source of the unusual seismic activity?
What primary event was initially identified as the source of the unusual seismic activity?
- A large earthquake along a major fault line.
- Underground nuclear testing.
- A volcanic eruption in Iceland.
- A landslide and tsunami in a fjord in East Greenland. (correct)
Approximately how much rock and ice was displaced during the landslide?
Approximately how much rock and ice was displaced during the landslide?
- 330 million cubic yards
- 33,000 cubic yards
- 33 million cubic yards (correct)
- 3.3 million cubic yards
What phenomenon, caused by the confined space of the fjord, contributed to the prolonged seismic activity?
What phenomenon, caused by the confined space of the fjord, contributed to the prolonged seismic activity?
What evidence from the Danish Navy helped explain the prolonged seismic activity?
What evidence from the Danish Navy helped explain the prolonged seismic activity?
According to the scientists, what is the primary cause of the landslide in the Dickson Fjord?
According to the scientists, what is the primary cause of the landslide in the Dickson Fjord?
How did the scientists track the seismic signal to Dickson Fjord?
How did the scientists track the seismic signal to Dickson Fjord?
The tsunami created by the landslide in Dickson Fjord reached what approximate height?
The tsunami created by the landslide in Dickson Fjord reached what approximate height?
What does Dr. Hicks suggest is the broader global significance of the Dickson Fjord landslide?
What does Dr. Hicks suggest is the broader global significance of the Dickson Fjord landslide?
If the fjord's width were significantly larger, and the depth considerably shallower, how would the duration of the seismic event most likely be affected, assuming all other factors remained constant?
If the fjord's width were significantly larger, and the depth considerably shallower, how would the duration of the seismic event most likely be affected, assuming all other factors remained constant?
What phenomenon caused the prolonged reverberation of the tsunami within the Greenland fjord?
What phenomenon caused the prolonged reverberation of the tsunami within the Greenland fjord?
What is the primary reason scientists believe Arctic landslides are becoming an increasing risk?
What is the primary reason scientists believe Arctic landslides are becoming an increasing risk?
Which of the following best describes how the scientists were alerted to the landslide event in the Greenland fjord?
Which of the following best describes how the scientists were alerted to the landslide event in the Greenland fjord?
What specific aspect of climate change contributed directly to the landslide in the Greenland fjord?
What specific aspect of climate change contributed directly to the landslide in the Greenland fjord?
Considering the potential for future events, what represents the greatest immediate risk to human safety in the affected fjord?
Considering the potential for future events, what represents the greatest immediate risk to human safety in the affected fjord?
What data were used to confirm that the origin of the seismic activity was in the Dickson Fjord?
What data were used to confirm that the origin of the seismic activity was in the Dickson Fjord?
Besides the immediate destruction in the fjord, which wider impact of the landslide was directly observed and measured?
Besides the immediate destruction in the fjord, which wider impact of the landslide was directly observed and measured?
Had there been vessels traversing the fjord at the time of the landslide, what would have most likely affected the survivability of those onboard?
Had there been vessels traversing the fjord at the time of the landslide, what would have most likely affected the survivability of those onboard?
Assuming fjord morphology and water volume remain constant, which scenario would potentially lead to a shorter duration of seismic reverberations following a similar landslide event?
Assuming fjord morphology and water volume remain constant, which scenario would potentially lead to a shorter duration of seismic reverberations following a similar landslide event?
Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the broader implications of the Greenland fjord landslide? Hint: Think climate change
Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the broader implications of the Greenland fjord landslide? Hint: Think climate change
Flashcards
Mysterious Seismic Event (2023)
Mysterious Seismic Event (2023)
A slow, constant seismic wave was recorded worldwide for nine consecutive days.
Dr. Kristian Svennevig
Dr. Kristian Svennevig
A geologist at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.
Cause of the Seismic Event
Cause of the Seismic Event
It was traced to a landslide and tsunami in a fjord in East Greenland.
Volume of Landslide Material
Volume of Landslide Material
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Tsunami Height
Tsunami Height
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Seiche
Seiche
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Cause of Landslide
Cause of Landslide
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Dr. Stephen Hicks
Dr. Stephen Hicks
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Fjord's Role
Fjord's Role
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Tsunami
Tsunami
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Fjord
Fjord
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Seismic Signals
Seismic Signals
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Landslide
Landslide
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Glacier Melt
Glacier Melt
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Cruise Ship Risk
Cruise Ship Risk
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Climate Change Risk
Climate Change Risk
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Wave Energy Trap
Wave Energy Trap
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Mountain Collapse
Mountain Collapse
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Study Notes
Dickson Fjord Landslide
- Part of a mountain and glacier near Dickson Fjord collapsed on September 16, 2023
- Approximately 33 million cubic yards of rock and ice were displaced, which is enough to fill 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools
- The collapse triggered a 650-foot-tall tsunami
- The top of a mountain collapsed into the fjord, taking parts of the glacier with it.
- Millions of cubic meters of rock collapsed as a result.
Seiche Phenomenon
- The confined space in the narrow fjord caused the tsunami wave to travel back and forth, creating a standing wave known as a seiche
- The rolling wave shook the entire Earth for nine days due to the concentrated energy
- The phenomenon is similar to water sloshing back and forth in a bathtub or swimming pool, but on a much larger scale
- The analysis of the fjord's depth and shape, a narrow 200 km long, revealed why the tsunami reverberated for so long.
- The wave's energy was trapped, causing it to bounce back and forth within the fjord.
- This created a long-duration, large-scale movement of water observed for over nine days.
Climate Change Impact
- The landslide resulted from rising temperatures in Greenland, which melted the glacier at the base of the mountain
- The melting glacier weakened the support for the mountain
- This event marks the first time a climate change event impacted the Earth's crust worldwide
- Scientists believe the risk of these Arctic landslides is increasing due to climate change.
- Climate change is increasing the risk of such events.
- The glacier that was holding up the mountain melted and thinned due to climate change.
- This destructive side effect of climate change was felt around the world.
September 2023 Greenland Seismic Event
- In mid-September 2023, earthquake sensors worldwide detected a slow, constant wave, unlike typical earthquake readings
- Seismic monitors worldwide detected vibrations originating from Greenland.
- The rumbling event continued for nine consecutive days
- An international team of 68 scientists, led by Dr. Kristian Svennevig, traced the rumble to a landslide and tsunami in a fjord in East Greenland after a year-long investigation
- The seismic signal was caused by a massive landslide in a remote fjord in Greenland.
- A seismic event has significantly altered the landscape in an eastern Greenland fjord.
- Scientists created a simulation to show how the seismic signal traveled around the world.
- A team in Greenland received a report of a large tsunami in the eastern part of the country around the same time.
- No vessels were in the area when the landslide occurred.
- Cruise ships visit the remote location, highlighting the potential risk to vessels.
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