Podcast
Questions and Answers
What unique characteristic did the seismic data from the event in September 2023 exhibit?
What unique characteristic did the seismic data from the event in September 2023 exhibit?
What triggered the tsunami measured at 650 feet (198 m) in height?
What triggered the tsunami measured at 650 feet (198 m) in height?
What discovery helped scientists understand the prolonged seismic signals?
What discovery helped scientists understand the prolonged seismic signals?
How much rock and ice was estimated to have collapsed into the Dickson Fjord?
How much rock and ice was estimated to have collapsed into the Dickson Fjord?
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Who led the international team investigating the seismic event?
Who led the international team investigating the seismic event?
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Why was the seismic activity associated with this event considered unprecedented?
Why was the seismic activity associated with this event considered unprecedented?
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What was the primary source of data that helped scientists verify the landslide event?
What was the primary source of data that helped scientists verify the landslide event?
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How far inland did the landslide occur relative to the open ocean?
How far inland did the landslide occur relative to the open ocean?
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Study Notes
Global Earthquake Event of 2023
- Earthquake sensors worldwide detected a unique, slow, and continuous seismic activity lasting nine days in September 2023.
- This activity was unlike typical earthquakes, which are characterized by short, sharp readings.
- An international team of 68 scientists, led by Dr. Kristian Svennevig, investigated the cause.
Origin of the Seismic Activity
- The seismic activity originated in Dickson Fjord, East Greenland.
- A devastating landslide, involving the collapse of a mountain and glacier, occurred on September 16, 2023.
- Approximately 33 million cubic yards of rock and ice were deposited into the fjord.
- This triggered a 650-foot-tall (198 m) tsunami, one of the highest in recent history.
The Role of Dickson Fjord
- A high-resolution sonar survey revealed that the confined space of the narrow fjord trapped the energy of the mega-tsunami.
- The concentrated energy caused a seiche, a standing wave phenomenon similar to water sloshing in a bathtub, but on a much larger scale.
- The continuous shaking of the Earth for nine days resulted from this seiche.
Connection to Climate Change
- The landslide was linked to rising temperatures in Greenland, causing glacial melt at the base of the affected mountain.
- The thinning glacier could no longer support the mountain, leading to the collapse.
- The event highlights a new facet of climate change, impacting the Earth's crust globally.
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Description
Explore the unique seismic activity detected worldwide in September 2023, characterized by a slow and continuous pattern. Investigate the origins of the seismic event linked to a catastrophic landslide in Dickson Fjord, East Greenland, which triggered a monumental tsunami. Understand the scientific implications and geological phenomena involved in this extraordinary event.
