Podcast
Questions and Answers
What unique characteristic did the seismic event have compared to typical earthquakes?
What unique characteristic did the seismic event have compared to typical earthquakes?
How long did the seismic signal continue after the landslide occurred?
How long did the seismic signal continue after the landslide occurred?
What triggered the massive tsunami after the landslide?
What triggered the massive tsunami after the landslide?
What phenomenon was created due to the interaction of the tsunami wave in the fjord?
What phenomenon was created due to the interaction of the tsunami wave in the fjord?
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What was the height of the tsunami triggered by the landslide?
What was the height of the tsunami triggered by the landslide?
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What caused the glacier to lose its ability to support the mountain leading to the landslide?
What caused the glacier to lose its ability to support the mountain leading to the landslide?
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What main challenge did scientists face when trying to understand the seismic signal?
What main challenge did scientists face when trying to understand the seismic signal?
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What logistical factor in the fjord contributed to the persistence of the seismic event?
What logistical factor in the fjord contributed to the persistence of the seismic event?
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Flashcards
Mysterious seismic signal
Mysterious seismic signal
A slow, continuous wave that lasted for nine days and was detected by earthquake sensors worldwide.
Landslide
Landslide
A geological event where a large mass of rock and ice breaks off a mountain and falls into a fjord.
Tsunami
Tsunami
A giant wave caused by the landslide, reaching a height of 650 feet.
Seiche
Seiche
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Glacier melt
Glacier melt
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Fjord
Fjord
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Earth shaking
Earth shaking
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Seismology
Seismology
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Study Notes
Mysterious Global Seismic Event of September 2023
- Unusual seismic activity detected worldwide in mid-September 2023
- The seismic signal, unlike typical earthquakes, was a slow, constant wave lasting nine days
- The source of the signal was traced to the Dickson Fjord region after the collapse of a mountain and glacier on September 16, 2023.
- The collapse released approximately 33 million cubic yards of rock and ice, capable of filling 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools
- The event triggered a 650-foot-tall tsunami, one of the highest recently recorded
- The prolonged seismic activity couldn't be fully explained by the tsunami alone
Mechanism of the Prolonged Seismic Activity
- High-resolution sonar surveys by the Danish Navy revealed a seiche - a standing wave
- The confined space of the fjord caused the tsunami wave to bounce back and forth, generating a resonant seiche
- This concentrated energy, causing the Earth to shake for nine days.
- A seiche is analogous to water sloshing in a bathtub or swimming pool, but on a much larger scale
- The landslide occurred inland from the open ocean. The fjord's complex structure prevented energy dissipation
Climate Change Link
- The mountain collapse was linked to rising temperatures in Greenland melting glacier supporting the mountain, leading to instability
- Rising temperatures caused the glacial melt, destabilizing the mountain, and subsequently triggering the landslide.
- The event may represent a significant global impact of climate change on the Earth's crust
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Description
This quiz delves into the unusual seismic activities detected worldwide in mid-September 2023. It explores the origins and implications of a prolonged seismic signal linked to a mountain and glacier collapse in the Dickson Fjord region. Test your knowledge on this fascinating geological phenomenon and its aftermath.
