Researchers from the University of Oxford have confirmed the existence of megatsunamis in Greenland's Dickson Fjord, directly linking them to global seismic signals observed in September and October 2023. This groundbreaking discovery, published in Nature Communications, provides the first direct observations of these massive waves and their impact.
Key Findings
The study, led by Thomas Monahan, utilized data from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, launched in December 2022. SWOT's Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) allowed scientists to map the fjord's surface with unprecedented precision. The data revealed the presence of seiches, or standing waves, which oscillated for days after two major landslides in September and October 2023. These landslides, triggered by climate change-induced glacier melting, caused the megatsunamis.
The researchers observed waves reaching up to 200 meters in height, confirming the link between the landslides, the resulting tsunamis, and the mysterious seismic signals that baffled scientists worldwide. By combining SWOT data with seismic and meteorological data, the team reconstructed the waves and linked them to the global seismic events. This research highlights the impact of climate change and the importance of advanced satellite technology in studying extreme events in remote areas.